TB   |April.01.2008 The housing authority in Vallejo is broken. Liberal or not everyone needs to realize that housing subsidy is not an entitlement. I have inside information that legal services, the housing board and the management routinely overturn disqualification of tenants with an established record of defrauding the system. As a tax paying independent I am appalled that people are so willing to throw MY tax dollars away. By the way, they are also throwing their own money away as well. What needs to happen in housing an other departments in Vallejo is accountability, policy and responsibility need to come to the forefront. All departments have a responsibility to be fiscally responsible with the tax revenues they are entrusted to manage. They need to be accountable and report how the money was spent and why. They need to have policies in place to ensure adherence with basic GAAP principles. Why is this seemingly so difficult for otherwise intelligent people to understand. If Vallejo goes back to acting like a good mid sized city and stops trying to act like a San Francisco or Sacramento I think a lot of the growth pain issues will go away. Manage the city like you would a business. There may not be as many hand outs, but there will be more effective hands up to help the people that really need help instead helping people (landlords and clients) that obviously want to hustle the system on our tax dollars.

Admin   |March.31.2008 :!: Comments will be down for just a few minutes as I patch the software.. 10:45pm to 11ish.. Mark H

Sam Kurshan   |March.31.2008 Call me an old fashioned liberal if you like, but I think we are treading on dangerous ground here concerning the section 8 affordable housing issue. Yes it is full of flaws and yes there will always be landlords as well as tenants who illegally abuse the program, but its underlying purpose, to house people of mixed and lower incomes in neighborhoods of people with higher incomes is a good thing, because it allows those less fortunate to live in an environment with a quality of life they may not otherwise be exposed to due to their lack of affordability. Perhaps you might retort with; well the section 8 tenants bring bad habits and traits to my neighborhood and they are responsible for the crime rate rising in my neighborhood. This may be be the case in some instances, but not all, because most section 8 tenants have a lot of pride instilled in them when they have the opportunity to live in a better environment. I put the root of the problem at the feet of the landlords who do not screen prospective section 8 tenants more thoroughly prior to accepting them as tenants. A lot of landlords see section 8 as a way to fill otherwise empty and harder to rent, homes and apartments in an act of financial desperation.Ironically, they need to learn (and some do the hard way) that hasty acceptance of a section 8 tenant without proper and adequate screening, that includes criminal background checks as well as credit checks, can cost them more money in the long run as a result of the costly repair of physical damage and liability suits caused by undesirable and inadequately screened section 8 tenants.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.31.2008 Whoops sorry about the figures below, should read: Parcel I worth $4,053,015.oo and Parcel II $7,099,47.00 ( four million and seven million, but whose counting...)

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.31.2008 Interesting about the taxes being paid by the owners (Vallejo Maine Partners) on 201 Maine St. (Its actually two parcels, one valued at $4,053.015 and the second parcel valued at $7,099.47) By my records we pay approximately 1.25 taxation on our homes (unless you live in a special accessment district.) That would be at the very least $111,000 in taxes, and Vallejo Maine Partners not only receive section 8 vouchers, but also pay only $23,000 in taxes per year. Hey no wonder we have so many "out of towners" investing in section 8 projects in Vallejo, its like stealing candy from a baby, WAH!!! If you contact the police department, they will verify that they had over 400 calls to 201 Maine St. last year, I dont know if their $23,000 they paid in taxes even made a dent in paying for the VPD to show up...

J.M   |March.31.2008 Fleming Neighborhood Watch Meeting Reminder If you live near the Vista, Fleming, Basil & Morningside neighborhoods you are welcome to attend! If you live in other areas within Vallejo you are also welcome to attend to listen on how Vallejo neighborhoods are joining to beautify & clean up our immediate neighborhoods. Agenda: Old business: *Update on the Urban Re-Forestation in our subdivision by Joe Bates(Volunteer). *Update on 711 correspondence *Community Garage Sale New Business: *What is a " Landscape Maintenance District " and are we interested in forming one. *Possibility for a $ 10,000 Grant Remember that April is " Bring a Neighbor " Month! Special thanks to Lyndy Pickens for uniting different Vallejo neighborhoods the past two meetings. See you at 7PM, Thursday, April 3rd, 1350 Amador Street @ the First Presbyterian Church Enter on Glenn Street

Sam Kurshan   |March.31.2008 I heard that there was going to be a study session tomorrow,prior to the council meeting, concerning the City's streets. What's there to study? The streets are obliterated. If they want an expert witness, I'll provide free expert testimony.

Doug Sherman   |March.31.2008 Robert, I became very interested in the section 8 discussion here too so I contacted VHA and ask for some documentation. Melissa Nestlerode, a senior analyst, responded and sent me quite a bit of information; she was very helpful and can be reached at the VHA office 707.648.4507. There are no property owner names available from VHA or HUD but you can get addresses. From there it looks like one must go to the tax assessors office and query each address for the registered owner. My interest is in the tax implications for these different projects. When I go to the Solano county assessors website at http://recorderonline.solanocounty.com/ and search for the tax bill on Marina Vista 201 Maine St., for example, it shows the property tax for the entire property at about 23K. Most of the assessed value of the property is exempted (through some kind of legislation). One important question that I think should be asked by council and staff when considering new subsidized housing projects is how much property tax will the project pay? If we have a choice I think we must set these projects up so they pay their fair share of taxes to the general fund.

Ann O Nemus   |March.31.2008 dunno what happened, my post got truncated. Ah, never mind, you can look troll up in Wikipedia or Google. Bottom line, trolls are fecal stirrers, that's all.

Ann O Nemus   |March.31.2008 Q: What's a troll? A: (thanks to Wikipedia) An Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response[1] or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.[2] ... Trolling is a game about identity deception, albeit one that is played without the consent of most of the players. The troll attempts to pass as a legitimate participant, sharing the group's common interests and concerns; the newsgroups members, if they are cognizant of trolls and other identity deceptions, attempt to both distinguish real from trolling postings, and upon judging a poster a troll, make the offending poster leave the group. Their success at the former depends on how well they

Shay58   |March.31.2008 Ghost is one of the real angry ones from the T-H blog.

Ghost   |March.31.2008 This site has turned into VIB alright, Village Idiot Blog.

Silas Barnabe   |March.31.2008 Edinator: Please publish this person's IP would the owner by the IP addresses registered to the city?

Dialog Monitor   |March.31.2008 :!: TROLL ALERT :!: For those who are not aware, we have one person that has been posted under several names and trying to create the same chaos that was happening at the T-H blogs. They signed in under real names or posts used by other people to try to confuse the issue. Karma, Susan, Sam K, Prep H, Silent, Someone who showed up, and Observer are all posting from the same computer. Unfortunately there are people that feel a need to disrupt the dialog here because they don't like the subject and are determined to act like children. We are being vigilant but it slips by sometimes. Sorry for the confusion. We have taken steps to deal with the individual.

Karma Karma carmuter   |March.31.2008 :idea: I saw a troll with a laptop under the Carquinez bridge today while driving home from work. maybe that's who it was :?:

Ephemera Girl   |March.31.2008 oh my god people. shut up! This volunteer thing has gotten out of hand. Can't we just agree on the fact that everyone who attended or wanted to attend this event had only the best of intentions in mind when they chose to be involved. It will be awfully awkward next month when you ALL show up to the next event and have to work together. Or are you just going to allow this contrived arguing spoil what is the beginning of a great program. Sad. Get over yourselves.

Susan   |March.31.2008 I guess anyone who disagrees with On Fire or Fire Fart has to be a troll of a fire fighter with too much time on their hands. It couldn't possibly that we just don't agree with you and her holiness couldn't handle that, so her holiness proclaimed to her followers thy decree a troll and her jester Fire fart sided with an aye to the kingdom.

Firebug   |March.31.2008 Agreed J.M.

Sam Kurshan   |March.31.2008 Like another person stated before, and believe me, I should know, it is very easy to call someone a troll and accuse them of posting under several names, once we let our egos take over our intellect and we refuse to admit we have run out of intelligent replies to an opposing point of view.

JH   |March.31.2008 I think that Stephanie did a great job addressing the issue, and unless you organized the event everyone else should just stay out of it and let her post stand.

Sam Kurshan   |March.31.2008 On Fire, Would I be a troll if I disagreed with you? Because I do. You know how far I will go to make a point and then stand behind it. How do you know it wasn't me making those posts? Not on;ly do I hate the T.H. I don't post there except on a rare occassion, like to refute the recent letter Jon riley wrote there.

Robert Schussel   |March.31.2008 I do Market Research for a living.. As I said at City Council you are probably smoking something if you believe that the residents of Vallejo will pass any new taxes.The low percentage who are willing to be taxed more relects an anti tax sentiment. The recent negative press about wages will probably increase this anti tax view even for legitimate purposes. On another note I would hope that someone has the will to start naming those who benefit from section 8 housing.This seems to be one of those dirty little secrets that has remained under the radar.

Firebug   |March.31.2008 On-Fire: They can try, but the tiny fringe here is easily active enough to deny the 67 percent yes votes and the Henkettes know it. This tax will be one laden with "tricks" which could involve be mail in ballots, obfuscation around it's purpose (tie it into funding for non-profits). The smart thing to do would be to pass a "public works tax" which would then free up the 4 or 5 million we spend in public works already and give it to safety services. We need to continue to be vocal, attempts are being made like the one here today to make us fight amongst ourselves and stain our reputations. We need to continue to get the message out "no new taxes" unless we keep funding of all other programs at current levels, and a clause to remove "binding arbitration" from the charter. I suspect strongly that they will attempt to use a"fund shifting" scheme which will put solely on the backs of the taxpayers the other agencies that need to be funded besides public safety. Right now public safety in vallejo has such a terrible reputation that I doubt they will persue the 911 tax.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 :!: Troll Alert! :!: Trust me, this person that has posted under the many names is one and the same. They play this same game on the times horrid. Things must be slow over there so they want to cause chaos. Just ignore them, they will get tired of playing with themselves, or not, and find some new toy. You will be able to tell the difference from the troll talk.

Preparation H   |March.31.2008 Ann O Anus, Don't be so quick to tell someone to take meds or go to anger management just because they are passionate about their beliefs and refuse to yield to a few selfish folks who cant cop to their own bull s..t

Ann O Nemus   |March.31.2008 To "Someone Who Showed Up On Time" Chill out! People have made their mea culpas, there's no need to make this into a big fight. Jeeeez! Take your meds, go attend an anger management class or something. Nuff said, maybe next month we'll all get this straightened out.

J.M.   |March.31.2008 Still one last comment...The mural event was a success. I am very glad there was such a turn out. The organizers did a phenomenal job! Katy as well as others always do outstanding in their positive volunteer efforts. I have been to a few... Can we move on please...some of you seem to have so much anger inside for something very simple. My comments were not negative, but truly genuine. I really thought the event was cancelled. So to all, to avoid not participating next time,let's be there on time if you really care for our Community. Now back to work, as today is Monday & it's a busy day at the office.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 On to other items of importance. It appears that the times horrid is now waging a full out campaign to help the safety employees build their case to put yet another "revenue enhancement" i.e., tax on the ballot for Nov. With the exception of the two initiatives for the schools, all others have failed. So now you will read on a daily basis, that the safety employees are suffering because they can't buy new cars, can't afford their best employees, don't have enough people to investigate crimes. I'd like to see for once, the chief of police try to meet with the stake holders and come out with one idea that is innovative, or shows that he is trying to think out of the box. Example of being bull headed about restructuring his dept., there are 14 motorcycle cops on duty. They for the most part, don't ride on patrol and their main function is traffic. If the crime rate continues to rise, and the need is there, why doesn't the chief pull at least half of them and put them into patrol cars? I understand that they generate revenue with the tickets they write, but it only accounts for the salary for about three. The chief appears to be playing favorites within the dept. and one has to wonder what game he is playing.

Susan   |March.31.2008 Let me see if I got this right. On Fire stops the intelligent discourse because they let their emotions get involved,then they accuse people of pretending to post under different names, call them trolls and then decide for all of us that we need to stop this and the hybrid Firebug comes to her rescue. Turn the switch off marked "troll alert" and turn the one back on marked "your brain".

On Fire   |March.31.2008 :!: Yes Firebug, it's indeed a "troll alert". :!: How many times have this game been played before, susan/observer/silent/showed? Can smell them when the come on board. Hope your having fun.

Susan   |March.31.2008 One last thought. When bloggers run out of intelligent responses, especially when being challenged on their point of view or opinion and have their back against the wall, they resort to the claim that posters are ganging up on them by claiming that different posters are the same person. As I said a moment ago. This is paranoid behavior on the part of the accuser, who has run out of intelligent discourse and needs to give it a rest.

Firebug   |March.31.2008 TROLL Alert

Susan   |March.31.2008 Now On Fire is getting paranoid. Perhaps it is On Fire who has gone too far with this and now that she/he is being challenged they are insinuating that two different posters are the same person and is calling them trolls at that. It seems that on Fire was wrong for taking this too far and that everyone else who commented about that are well within right and reason to do so. On Fire is no better than the people she/he is disagreeing with because by making paranoid accusations and calling people names, On Fire has sunk to a level that they didn't even go to. Now lets move on to something intelligent as has been so wisely suggested. Peace.

Firebug   |March.31.2008 On-Fire Agreed! Don't feed the trolls!

Silent Until Now   |March.31.2008 When you do something for the good of the community you put your needs and wants aside and put the needs of the commujnity first. If you have children and get up at 7AM to wash, dress and feed them and you know you have to be somewhere by 8:30 AM that other people are depending on you to be on time for, because your collaborative effort is necessary for the success of a group effort, then you get up an hour or a half hour earlier than normal to make sure you are there on time. Period. Discussion over.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 Oh, forgot Observer too. Don't want any of the many personalities to be left out.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 Could be because you are one and the same person? Someone/Silent? I'm beginning to sense that maybe there isn't any real issue and maybe a troller that's come over from the times horrid to try to cause chaos. Who are you going to post as next so I can have the last word with you too?

Silent Until Now   |March.31.2008 On Fire, You are full of yourself. You said: "then just skip over the comments as they are not intended for you." "Funny that there seems to be a lot of hostility over a simple issue that has apparently worked it's way out?" "One usually volunteers out of a sense of charity, i.e. goodwill toward others and kindly helpfulness toward others?" This is a public comment board. For you to say just skip over the comments not intended for you is nonsense. Yes their is a lot of hostility over this, because the hostility is based on resentment towards a few selfish individuals who no matter how hard they try will not succeed in causing us to lose sight of the facxt that we did this for the good of the community not them. By the way, Someone is correct in their observation that you seem to need the last word because it is you who are nitpicking this to death.

Someone Who Showed up Ontime   |March.31.2008 Bull Crap! What the project would entail was not the issue. The issue was the people who showed up late, who knew all along that the time was 8:30 AM, felt we OWED them a note when we owed them nothing and now we have somehow succumbed to their selfishness by spending way more time on this issue than ever should have been or than they deserve. Now don't forget to respond, since you seem to have the need to not only dissect this to the microscopic level, but have the last word as well!

Shay58   |March.31.2008 Tagger: Thumbs Up!! Everybody remember: VALLEJO FIRST!!!Everything that gets in our way is crap.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 Because the suggestions for improving the process were guided toward those who are in charge of organizing the program, not to the volunteers that show up to help paint. I don't think anyone was asking the volunteers to do anything more to accomodate them or anyone else nor were they expecting that the volunteers give them any special attention. As an observer, I re-read the newspaper article and the notice on this post, now of which gave any detailed information on what the project would entail. So the suggestions were for the people in charge of making decisions, not the people who show up to paint. So if you are one of those organizers, hope it helped. If your not, then just skip over the comments as they are not intended for you. Funny that there seems to be a lot of hostility over a simple issue that has apparently worked it's way out? One usually volunteers out of a sense of charity, i.e. goodwill toward others and kindly helpfulness toward others?

Tagger   |March.31.2008 I'm a tagger! Quick! Someone paint over me. After you paint me over, you can stop sniveling and resume the intelligent discourse for which this forum is famous.

Silent Until Now   |March.31.2008 I agree with Someone Who Showed Up On Time. The few who have been complaining that we owe them an accommodation, are selfish, egotistical individuals. I for one, wonder if they were to have showed up on time whether their high maintenance me, me, yuppie attitudes wouldn't have caused some other problems among the teams that ended up affecting their morale and there by the outcome of their efforts in some negative way.

Silent Until Now   |March.31.2008 I agree with Someone Who Showed Up On Time. The few who have been complaining that we owe them an accommodation, are selfish, egotistical individuals. I for one, wonder if they were to have showed up on time whether their high maintenace me, me, yuppie attitudes wouldn't have caused some other problems among the teams that ended up affecting their morale and there by the outcome of their efforts in some negative way.

An Observer   |March.31.2008 On Fire, Why do you want to know if Someone is a volunteer or an organizer?

On Fire   |March.31.2008 Point taken, but I do have a question for you. Are you one if the organizers or one of the volunteers?

Someone Who Showed Up On Time   |March.31.2008 The program ran perfectly. Fifty people showed up on time, with a great attitude and got the job done. It couldn't have been any better. It was perfect! To clarify what you interpret as my "anger", I am angry because the few people who couldn't show up on time are trying to blame us for their inability to do so. Don't get me wrong. I will bend over backwards for a team player. I won't yield an inch for people who from the time the nasty phone message was left, up until now, have only pointed fingers and placed blame on us when the fault lies at their feet, not ours.

On Fire   |March.31.2008 To Someone, I think that my comments were not meant to make you feel any better or worse but you appear to be angry at the fact that some wanted to find solutions to help make the program run better. The simple solution to what should be a good program for the city was to leave detailed instructions for those who didn't know the process. If you are this irritated by my suggestions to help, maybe you should just skip over the comments you have trouble with. The point being in a volunteer program is for people to work together and solve common problems. Hopefully this attitude doesn't irritate you even further, but this is the type of person I am. If I can help, I will. We are glad to see that you will show up at the designated time and hopefully keep the spirit of working together as a team.

FYI   |March.31.2008 Oakland, CA I just read this on the T.H. comment board concerning the story about Bill Tweedy. I thought it might provide you with a laugh. To all of our loyal readers: As of today we are changing the name of The Times Herald to the Henke Gazette. We thought this was appropriate in light of the fact that everything we write is about them, slanted in their favor and that because Ron Rhea's friendship with Kurt Henke, combined with Ron's blind allegiance to Kurt, will never permit an article to be written that isn't in favor of the fire fighters, that this was the only way it would make any sense to you, our loyal readers and ignorant followers of our slanted, biased news.

Someone Who Showed Up On Time   |March.31.2008 Katy, I know from experience that you are a kind and gentle person, but please, stop embarrassing yourself with your comments concerning the people who showed up late for the anti graffiti paint out last Saturday. Even out of kindness you owe them no accomodation or explanation. They are taking advantage of your good nature.

Someone Who Showed Up On Time   |March.31.2008 I've been listening to all this B.S. now for two days, coming from the few people who showed up late to the anti graffiti paint out event because they couldn't manage their time better, compared to the fifty people who were able to and showed up on time. I don't know what is more pathetic, their attitude and the fact that they can't own up to the fact that they are trying to manipulate us into thinking that it somehow was the fault of those who did not leave them a note or the people who have caved in to their whining who are being ever so conciliatory to them. To Carol, J.M. and anyone else who couldn't get your act together, hear my words; WE OWE YOU NOTHING. NO NOTE, NO EXPLANATION, NO LISTENING TO AND RESPONDING TO THE NAUSEATING TWO DAY LONG INTELLECTUALIZING FROM YOU TRYING TO GUILT TRIP US, NOTHING! You are the kind of people we don't need, because your attitude stinks. You are more concerned about yourselves than putting your selfish egos aside for the sake of a group effort. You are unyielding in your whining, complaining and what has now become your selfish manipulation of this comment board, to make sure your point of view prevails. You are the kind of people who don't follow instructions, don't follow rules and think the rest of the world has to rewrite the rules for you and if we don't we are wrong. Guess what? You are wrong and you should be ashamed of yourselves for forcing your immature attitude on us. You are in denial and need to snap out of it and stop wasting our time!

shay58   |March.31.2008 Katy or Marc: Yesterday I posted asking about the possibility of streaming different topics. Ann O. Neymus also had a similiar question. What are your thoughts?

Katy Miessner   |March.31.2008 Thanks Anonymous...when (you?) posted that you have children to deal with in the morning, it made me see that others who also who really want to volunteer have situations that impact whether 8:30 is realistic for them. And so the note on the door makes perfect sense. I need to remember that we all live in a town where so many people spend 3 or more hours commuting, have children, 2 jobs...so making room for accomodation is really important. Thanks for helping me see that!

John K   |March.31.2008 Enough sniveling, Anonymous. Just remember YOU are in charge of posting a sign on the door.

Anonymous   |March.31.2008 Katy: RE: anti-graffiti...sorry for the whiney post I made. I should of made a phone call first. Sometimes I'm really good at whinning--learned this trait from working in Marin for almost 20 years--the marinites are very good whinners. Whinning to me equals efficiency.

Elmer   |March.31.2008 MISSMARVELOUS, I tried to find the underlying complaints or reason for the Buchongo lawsuit but came up empty. I found the court case but I dont know how to find the documents that were filed in the case: http://www.solanocourts.com/ Case ID: SL006935 BUCHONGO, MUNTU VS CITY OF VALLEJO Filing Date: Tuesday , June 18th, 1996 Type: CC Civil Complaint

Anonymous   |March.31.2008 WOW- Thanks to the Fairfield Reporter for putting in a wonderful graft, and debunking all the myths that Henke and his gang have been spewing. Maybe because it's in a printed paper the council will now believe what JD Miller had been saying all along? Henke says we need to increase revenue: Our general fund is already $12.7 million MORE than Fairfield's and $18.4 million MORE than Vacaville's! AND, notice how the "firefighter" budget and "other" budget are completely flipped in our cities. Vallejo's firefighter budget is $29.7 million, Fairfield's is $14.7 million, Vacaville's $16.4 million. With their firefighter budgets under control, Fairfield is able to spend $9.2 million more on "other" (like street repair) and Vacaville $7.3 million more.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.31.2008 Can someone enlighten us here at VIB about the Buchongo Settelment please. Apparently Vallejo was sued in 1999 for now having enough affordable housing/rentals. Does anyone know the details? I know the settlement is to build around 400 affordable units. "Little Old Lady" do you have any insight? Does the settlement have to due with misuse of funds by the Redevelopment Agency?

JUST ASKING?   |March.30.2008 For all the people that "poo-poo'ed" the Governor Arnold in 2003, for asking asking Californian's to rethink public service union employees compensation, what do you think now? In the words of Vicki Gray, "had enough?" As a long time democrat, I can no longer support the socialist mentality of the new democratic party. Vallejo is a perfect example of socialism gone bad. WE have housed the poor, ours and other communites, we have taken released felons, ours and other communites. We cant say no to any "so-called" non-profit half-way home to help the disadvantage (even those being run by out of towners) to our peril. "What you sow you will reap" as the old saying goes. So we shouldnt be surprised at our outcome of our harvest.

Ann O Nemus   |March.30.2008 To pick up on Shay58's suggestion, isn't it time for VIB to establish a discussion forum? Something where various topics can be segregated, including a "Lounge" section for miscellanea? I think VIB has reached a critical mass, it should be the online "place to be" for everyone who cares about Vallejo. Stay independent, do not accept ads, but be open for donations from individuals.

Katy Miessner   |March.30.2008 To JM And Carol -- I came home from painting, not only over graffiti but I volunteered to paint somewhere else in the afternoon and when I got home exhasuted, I found the posts a little frustrating, as they seemed to put all blame on the organizers for not accommodating folks who aren't able to arrive on timel. I'm sorry about my tone yesterday...and hope you all can make it the next time. FYI, it seems it will be regularly scheduled now, the 3rd Saturday of the month. Stay tuned!

Katy Miessner   |March.30.2008 On Saturday, Sam Kushan had a good suggestion for the graffiti paint outs: Wake up calls. (If you're offering, I'll take one myself, please).

Alun Whittaker   |March.30.2008 Something else for the spike Vallejo Times-Herald, The Editor, Dear Sir: Just for a change, I'd like to submit a call for understanding -- that's understanding mind you, not sympathy -- for the rank and file members of our "public service" unions. And I write "public service", not "public safety", because in this argument I want to include those other recent claimants for less work, better payment, and more benefits, the nurses and schoolteachers, along with our firefighters and police. These job holders have much in common. They serve in specialist occupations, commonly held for life, staring after graduation from specialist training and going on through -- often early -- retirement. They commonly involve working for local or state government, or for some highly-regulated, non-competitive, quasi-governmental organization. In most cases, they are employed by politicians; if not directly, then those who appoint their employers, or fund their employers, or regulate their employers are politicians. They all perform services that most of us would agree are essential to maintaining a well-ordered society. As such, these workers never experience the harsh realities that the rest of us learn so well in a lifetime of working and surviving in the real world economy. Of course, their union leadership and campaign funds work hard keeping them in that protected state, but we share the blame. For a start no critic, no newspaper editorial writer, and certainly no politician, would ever criticize any "public service" profession without a strong qualification that: "They're certainly doing a great job, but...", or "We really need to hire more of them, but...", or "I know they should be paid more, but..." Politicians bend over backwards to find other places to cut before touching any aspect of these employees lives. Where else in the free world does this occur? Does General Motors send out cars with only 3 wheels to avoid making lay-offs? Would United dump passengers in Cleveland telling them to walk to New York in order to keep up aircrew benefit packages? No, that wouldn't happen because their customers would run to a competitor. But in "public service", where there is no competition, that's exactly what happens. Streets go unpaved but firefighters get pay raises. Old folks go unfed while much younger police officers dine out on generous retirement packages. Schools go unpainted, and operating rooms stand empty to pay for union-endorsed, politician-mandated staffing ratios. There's little price competition between "public service" employers, nor is there much of it between employees. Union lobbyists work hard to prevent the establishment of objective performance standards, and if they do get established, then they use enforcement (or lack of enforcement) of them as bargaining chips in salary negotiations. So-called professional standards organizations, also closely tied to unions, push national standards of service that are little more than tools to ensure maximum employment numbers, with minimum work hours per employee. Union locals in different cities establish salary-negotiating cartels -- or trusts, as they were called when J.D. Rockefeller, Leland Stanford, and J.P. Morgan were using them -- to force ever higher costs for all "public service" users. How about that most recent employee bugaboo: outsourcing. Although we cannot export many other "public service" jobs, the boom in "medical tourism" -- travelling to India, Israel, Singapore and Thailand for major surgery -- seems to be the small beginning of a consumer revolt against rampant "public service" inflation. Sadly, we cannot outsource our school teaching jobs to Korea or Japan, although statistics indicate that, if we could, we would see markedly lower costs, and many times better results from our students. Harder would be outsourcing our police and fire services. Even getting the state's fire fighting service to take over Vallejo's local service was deemed unlikely when the regional head of CalFire was quoted in the Times-Herald as being afraid to take on the fire fighter's union -- like I said above, he may not be a politician but his bosses certainly are! So then, a word of understanding for our "public service" employees. The public, the politicians, and their own union leaders have done a fine job of protecting them from the hard face of real working life. Now, when their demands are pricing us out of safe streets, affordable health care, and education, let's not blame them for failing to understand the realities the rest of us face daily. Instead, let's put our efforts into giving them the education they need. Don't argue with a union leader, explain to a union member. Yours sincerely Alun Whittaker

J.M.   |March.30.2008 You got your quotes mixed up below, but thats okay. Moving forward, On Fire pretty much summarized first time volunteers. Still looking forward to the next event & I appreciate all who made this happend. I really am excited for our City, even in the middle of a financial crisis. I am currently involved in several positive programs around my neighborhood to improve Vallejo's image, thus being concerned about the mural event. This site does have its humoristic side when bloggers quote one's own words however

Shay58   |March.30.2008 VIB Is it possible to stream different subjects separately? While I enjoy reading all of the posts, I think some posts that include questions are being lost. I noticed the SF Times has different topics where readers can post comments. Face it. VIB is popular and is getting more so. Just a suggestion.

On Fire   |March.30.2008 In the spirit of "volunteerism", I offer suggestions for the program. The Graffiti Paint Out is a new program and the bugs have not all been worked out yet. More details regarding the day's event would be helpful, such as the procedure for signing up, the requirements for signing waivers, the time line, details of the locations, and a contact number for the day. This will in turn give the people who are wanting to contribute to the event an opportunity to make a decision on whether or not they can attend and participate. A first time volunteer would have had no way of knowing that if they didn't show exactly at 8:30, that everyone would be gone by 90. Someone who may want to help, may not be able to show up until a little later and if the team leader could possibly take some extra waivers with them, then have the late arrivals come up to speed, that may facilitate more people participating. No one wants to turn away (or turn off) more volunteers. I'm sure that these little details can be worked out to make this a great program that goes on through out the community. I think the organizers/team leaders would not take an attitude that if people showed up a little later, that they wouldn't take time to get them signed up and on board, and not impede the work of the others that have already started. It's about getting people involved and a team effort and the more the merrier, right?

Anonymous   |March.30.2008 I'm glad that VIB is around to get the real scoop on what's happening to our city. I feel that the Times-Herald picks and chooses what they want to publish. Looks like they are also in the pocket of the Union. Keep up the good work!!!

Sam Kurshan   |March.30.2008 Stephanie, Your true love for our city has once again shined down upon us and has blossomed into yet another wonderful benefit for the citizens of Vallejo. I was honored and it was my pleasure, to join you, Tony Pearsall, Marc Garman and Katy Miessner yesterday, for the monthly graffiti paint out. I left with the feeling, that unlike some who only sit back and criticize, I had actually done something to improve the quality of life for Vallejo. If only more of us would come to the realization that we can all make a difference for the good of Vallejo, no matter how small it is, by getting off our derri�res and taking the initiative, this city would be on the right road to recovery. Thank you for your continued efforts to lead us in that direction.

Shay58   |March.30.2008 John K Yes I can - and in large letters too!!!

Someone Who Showed Up On Time   |March.30.2008 To all the Carol's and J.M.'s of the world: J.M., You said: "That's the way I treat volunteers, not make them feel like and idio for not getting the information right or being on time." Carol said: "My family also drove by the Mare Island graffiti/mural event, and did not see anyone. If it was cancelled, they need to put up a sign informing the public. I guess I'll have to make another phone call about putting up signs." Your statements only show your continued failure to take responsibility for your tardiness. I hope you don't condone this kind of behavior from your children, because so far, you are setting a bad example for them. Fifty people of all ages and life styles made it their number one priority yesterday to show up and participate in the graffiti removal event. Some have children, some are elderly and some are even disabled. ALL OF THEM SHOWED UP ON TIME. At the end of the event we were told someone had called and left an angry message that they showed up late and no one was there or no sign was left stating where we were going. That information was a cloud on an otherwise perfect event. That perfection was attained as a collaborative result of a perfect attitude on the part of all who participated. Part of that perfect attitude was showing up on time! That selfish message was a real bummer to hear about, as we ate pizza and reminisced about our experience. The fact is, that the last crew to leave did not depart until well after after 90 AM. VIB published this notice: " VFOG Graffiti Paint Out and Mural Paint In Where? Mare island Building 535 on Walnut Avenue on Mare Island When? Saturday March 29--8:30 AM--Coffee and Snacks provided What about the PAINT? All materials will be provided." As Katy Miessner said: " For those who missed the grafitti, it started at 8:30. We spent a 1/2 hour having coffee and donuts and getting oriented, and then the more than 50 volunteers took off to paint. Please try to take the responsibility to be on time, because since it is an all volunteer effort, the group is not able to take care of folks who can't get there by 8:30... And since its a volunteer effort, if you need a sign, it would be great if you could make one, because the rest of us area busy painting..." No one owes it to you to leave you a note, let alone an explanation. Grow up, accept responsibility for your tardiness and stop trying to rationalize your lateness by blaming those who were on time for not leaving you a note that you had missed the boat!

On Fire   |March.30.2008 Ghost of Chief Parker revisited? Not one time have I heard our police chief come up with any new ideas on how to keep the department effective within the budget constraints. The only comments reflect a campaign to scare the public into submission for a series of "revenue enhancement" taxes that will be coming soon. He and his spokes people can only tell of how the dept. is suffering as is they are the only people being affected by our financial fiasco. If this police chief can't or won't try to think outside the box, then maybe his effectiveness is come and gone. This whole agenda of scare and tax is his answer everytime the economy goes south. I's like to know why at a time that we are under severe budget cuts, when we are losing employees, and when crime rates are not improving, do we have to have 14 motorcycle officers on duty? What is more of a priority, traffic or patrol officers? If crime is the priority concern, why aren't the motorcycle officers being placed into patrol units? Why is the chief so resistant to making this change at least as a temporary measure to help the best interests of the community? The time is now to rethink the way the structure of the police dept. I for one would like to have some ideas that serve the public's best interest be before you ask for more tax dollars.

John K   |March.30.2008 Robert Schussel - Thanks for the numbers breakdown. Looks like Vallejo still has 'em all beat. Shay58 - can you spell t-a-x-p-a-y-e-r - r-e-v-o-l-t ?

John K   |March.30.2008 Hello J.M. and Carol... it was a good paint-out day, and I'm sorry we missed you. This was our second meeting and we're still figuring things out. We met at Bldg 535 for coffee and a briefing, were assigned to various teams, and then we all departed, caravan style. Individuals carried brushes, rollers, and roller pans, and Team Leaders transported 5 gallon buckets of paint to the target locations. Apparently nobody thought to leave a note on the door, but you need to sign a waiver before you can wield a brush. So you could only serve as a cheerleader if you had caught up with us out in the field. We spent between 2 and 3 hours at most locations, and I can say it feels great to slap a roller loaded with "Concrete Gray" over the territorial markings of some gangbanger who lifted his leg on a wall or building. But until the briefing, most of us didn't know where the target locations would be so the best bet if you want to make a sign would be to list cell phone numbers for Tony and the other Team Leaders. The latest "plan" is to meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month and you can sign up to be contacted via email for updates, changes, or cancellations.

Shay58   |March.30.2008 Seems I "misspoke" on the number of comments on S.F. Chron. article when I posted this morning. I swear I need a new pair of glasses. Anywho, the salary story IS drawing a lot of reaction. Have a good Sunday.

J.M   |March.30.2008 Carol- Very good point! Being a new resident & my first time volunteering, I did not know Walnut Street would be the meeting point...then we would go elsewhere. Details will help next time, not just a time & address. K. easy on your scolding tone, were not attacking you!

shay58   |March.30.2008 The SF Chron article is stirring up a buzz. It's not 9:45 and there are 147 comments. I think some of the wages of folks in the Bay Area are real eye openers for a lot of people.

WATZ UP WIT DAT?   |March.30.2008 "This world ain't going to be saved by nobody's scheme. It's fellows with schemes that got us into this mess. Plans can get you into things but you got to work your way out" Will Rogers

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.30.2008 Dear City of Vallejo Council members and Mayor Davis: "People in the know" have exposed the workings of the Vallejo Housing Authority, and how they choosen to use HUD/Redevelopment funding. Of course there has been large online discussions regarding the Vallejo Public Safety Unions and how they have choosen to use city funds, but I really only want to point out the situation with VHA, a department that promotes the building of large projects such as Sereno Village and the supporting of 201 Maine/Marina Vista project, under the guise of "helping the poor." In my opinion grouping poor people together in large masses is social segregation. This past Saturday, I spent the day in the City of San Leandro, a city very similar to ours in diversity and social make-up. They struggled in the late 1980's and early 1990's with their social issues as do we. Somehow they figured it out. Very nice architectually designed senior housing (complete with gardens, fountains) sit close to their downtown. They have mixed senior housing and owner occupied condos complexes together for a nice mix (East 14th st.) They have also used redevelopment funds to build affordable first time buyer townhomes (Davis St.) Any where they have built new housing, they have also made sure to improve the surrounding sidewalks, lighting and landscaping to ensure it's both safe and attractive. They have narrowed many of their main streets with medians of trees and flowers, to slow drivers and improve safety. Many crosswalks are enhanced with orange vertial plastic sticks to remind drivers they are approaching a crosswalk. Rumor has it that the San Leandro Housing Authority, City Staff and City Council all work together as a group to make the best use of HUD funding. City funds being enhanced with HUD funding make for very nice projects. You should also check out their vintage 1940's City Hall which has been enhanced by the building of their new police department, and performing arts center. San Leandro has worked hard at making sure all their projects reflect their 1920's-1950's architectual scheme. In the past we have allowed several city departments to "run their own show" at the expense of the citizens of Vallejo. The citizens have had enough and want their city back!

Robert Schussel   |March.30.2008 Anonymous Some of statements made in the Chronicle are a misleading. 1)Some people volunteer for overtime. 2) I think the divorce rate etc can be attributed more to the personality of people who like Public Safety jobs than to the type of work they do. There was also a letter to the Editor in the TH about Mare Island--2,036 jobs created since 1996. The fact is that the majority of these jobs are from Goverment and Educational institutions.In fact in the past 5 years little if any real growth has occured.The City and City Council seems to give Lennar praise for the "wonderful" job they are doing. While the writer made a case for maintaining rail service to Mare Island I would ask what our City has done about this issue?

Robert Schussel   |March.30.2008 The numbers say it all Percent of Employees City $100K Plus Salaries San Francisco 29% Oakland 30% San Jose 33% VALLEJO 51% PERCENT OF FIRE COMPANY CALLS INVOLVING FIRES 6.6% EMS 93.4%

Carol   |March.30.2008 Yes, sometimes it's hard being on time when children are involved.� Yes, guess we were late.� We didn't realize that "Walnut Street" was just the "meeting place."� However, a sign reading "Thanks for your suppor...sorry we missed...We left...here are the places we're targeting..."� That's the way I treat volunteers, not make them feel like and idio for not� getting the information right or being on time.� Volunteering is uniting citizens to do and act of good.� Vallejo is way too Militiant and defensive at times--VERY UPTIGHT. I guess I've been in Marin/Sonoma too long. Next volunteer session, I'll make a sign.

John K   |March.29.2008 Here is the language from the Hayward City Charter: SECTION 1103. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED Excepting members of the City Council, and the various boards and commissions mentioned in or created or hereafter created under Article IX of this Charter, no person holding any position with the City for which compensation is paid, or on an eligible list, shall take an active part in any City political campaign or contribute thereto in behalf of any candidates, nor shall such person seek signatures to any petition seeking to advance the candidacy of any person for any City office. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent any such persons from seeking election or appointment to public office. Upon becoming a candidate for public office, any such person shall request and be granted a leave of absence, without pay, to remain in effect during the period of time such person is a candidate. Except as otherwise provided by the general laws of this State heretofore or hereafter enacted, no person in the Classified Service or seeking admission thereto, shall be employed, promoted, demoted or discharged or in any way favored or discriminated against because of political opinions or affiliations or because of race or religious belief. No officer or employee of the City and no candidate for any City office shall, directly or indirectly, solicit any assessment, subscription or contribution, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any political purpose whatever, from anyone on the eligible lists or holding any position in the Classified Service.

John K   |March.29.2008 Charter change, anyone? Something useful appeared in one of the Times-Horrid blogs. You probably know that Hayward is one of the "Fab 14" cities the union uses for salary surveys to justify pay raises each year? But did you know that the Hayward city charter restricts city employees from engaging in political activities? Imagine what it would be like if Vallejo police and fire personnel were not allowed to campaign for candidates? What if the unions were not allowed to pump money into campaigns and work to get people elected? Here's a link to Hayward's City Charter: http://www.ci.hayward.ca.us/about/pdf/CHARTER.pdf Check out: SECTION 1103. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES PROHIBITED Special thanks to "Vallejo Visitor" blogging from San Rafael

John K   |March.29.2008 On Fire, for the overtime pattern, I can think of possible reasons forced OT may not be distributed equally... different qualifications might mean some people get forced more frequently because they have quals that others lack. I'm also assuming they allow people to "volunteer" for the forced OT and some are more willing to be forced than others. I've worked in situations like that. But I'm skeptical about the real reasons for this excessive forced OT. That subject needs to be revisited. This new Tamale opens up more questions... what about the "Other" column? Some of it is retirement buyouts of vacation and sick leave, but what about the rest of it? Incentives?

Anonymous   |March.29.2008 Cities pay huge salaries despite fiscal crises Erin McCormick, Christopher Heredia,Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writers Saturday, March 29, 2008 http://www.sfgate.com/ Staffing rules drive earnings Such huge accumulations of overtime earnings are often locked in to cities' pay structures because of policies that require minimum staffing levels for police, firefighters and nurses. Firefighters are among the highest-paid public employees, but it's not always by choice and sometimes work requires that San Francisco firefighters be away from home as much as 15 days a month, said John Hanley, head of the city's fire union. The results, Hanley said, are high divorce rates, more injuries and shorter life spans that cut into their retirement. "We knew this was part of the job when we signed up," Hanley said. "But we would like to see fire departments staffed at higher levels."

J.M   |March.29.2008 Okay, I was late...I will get there early next time . I am glad however there was such a good turn out. This is just one way to express we DO NOT welcome graffiti in Vallejo. I don't know if there is a law to prevent minors from purchasing paint spray cans. Even if minors get a hold on them, atleast it will be more difficult. I understand certain stores keep them locked up.

Wicked   |March.29.2008 You're very welcome Ms. Stephanie Gomes. It was an honor to contribute what time I did, to help my City become a more beautiful place to live in. Thanks for having me.

On Fire   |March.29.2008 After a quick review of the base salaries and overtime for the safety employees, there seemed to be a pattern which looks like the employees that have a lower base seemed to work the most overtime. And there is no real pattern that indicated that all of the safety employees worked an equal amount of overtime. It would seem that if what the henkettes have said was true about all of the employees are forced to work overtime because they don't have enough people working, then it would be true for all employees equally? Maybe those who make less try to get the most overtime to bulk up their totals instead of merely being forced to work overtime?

shay58   |March.29.2008 Firebug: Interesting observation. It's a deafening silence that I can only describe as bizarre. Maybe I missed the speech, but have you heard any of our city leaders reassure the community that dispite the problems we face, we will get through this crisis, or whatever?

Stephanie Gomes   |March.29.2008 Hey all -- thanks to everyone who participated in the graffiti paint-out today. We had about 50 volunteers spend 3.5 hours painting out about 25 locations: five overpasses, three underpasses, concrete walls, wood fences and utility sheds. We also picked about 12 bags of trash and weeds. In addition, ten youth from the Fighting Back Youth Partnership showed up and, with the Vallejo Artists Guild, painted butterflies on the K-rails on Curtola. The volunteers worked so hard and it really was a lot of fun. For those of you who showed up after orientation, thank you for getting up early! I'm sorry we missed you. Next month I'll suggest that we put a notice on the door of Building 535 with several cell phone numbers people can call to find out where they can go meet up with one of the groups.

On Fire   |March.29.2008 Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the increase in the T-Horrid's reporting on the "police services" over the last few weeks? Similar to the increase in fire overage a couple of months back? So it appears that Nichelini is picking up where Parker left off with his "scare tactics"? Not one story on how anybody is trying to think out of the box to continue to provide needed services dispite the budget crisis? Seems to me that the police chief should be devoting less time putting together his doom and gloom stories for the paper, and more time for meeting with the stake holders and public to find ways to do more with less. What we don't need is for him to continue to state the obvious, we get it, there is no money! He is the main player in negotiations and never has suggested cuts in salaries and perks. It doesn't appear that he is really interested in the community's best interest but the power he has amassed while working here.

Kat y Miessner   |March.29.2008 For those who missed the grafitti, it started at 8:30. We spent a 1/2 hour having coffee and donuts and getting oriented, and then the more than 50 volunteers took off to paint. Please try to take the responsibility to be on time, because since it is an all volunteer effort, the group is not able to take care of folks who can't get there by 8:30... And since its a volunteer effort, if you need a sign, it would be great if you could make one, because the rest of us area busy painting...

Anonymous   |March.29.2008 "Hi, I drove to 535 Walnut in Mare Island for the artist/painting event but did not see anyone. It was about 9:15am, was this cancelled?" From V.I.B.: Where? Mare island Building 535 on Walnut Avenue on Mare Island When? Saturday March 29--8:30 AM--Coffee and Snacks provided What about the PAINT? All materials will be provided. Looks like you were about 45 minutes late.

Driving around Mare Island, in   |March.29.2008 I did observe an illegal scenario of early attempts to do illegal dumping near Azuar Drive at the old Marine Barracks. I called 911 on my mobile, but it was not an extreme emergency...all 911 phone calls if using your Mobile are directed to CHP. I did drive however to the nearest New Homes office & communicated to Crista Olbrantz from "The Nautilus" Home Collection. She called Security & sure enough two large trucks were about to dump a large amount of metals behind the hill on Sunset Avenue. The offenders drove away like bats out of hell in two Ford Trucks...never a dull moment I said to myself. Once completed, this entire area will look beautiful!!

Shay58   |March.29.2008 John K In my quest to research that "uncomfortable" (my word) subject of what one blogger termined Vallejo's increasing "ghettoization" I decided to do what I tend to do a lot nowadays, I "Googled" the subject. I came across a interesting articles that appeared in the March 14 and March 16 editions of the S.F. Chronicle. You may have already read these. Especially interesting is the March 14 article, "Is Subburbia Turning Into Slumburbia." This article mentions Vallejo - along with a number of other cities facing this crisis - and partically ties the issue to steep foreclosure rates, etc. WashingtonPost.com has an article entitled "The Housing Crisis Goes Suburban." This article appeared in the Post Aug. 27, 2006 and deals directly with the affordable housing issue. Thought I'd pass this along.

Carol   |March.29.2008 My family also drove by the Mare Island graffiti/mural event, and did not see anyone. If it was cancelled, they need to put up a sign informing the public. I guess I'll have to make another phone call about putting up signs.

Mare Island Event today   |March.29.2008 Hi, I drove to 535 Walnut in Mare Island for the artist/painting event but did not see anyone. It was about 9:15am, was this cancelled?

Anonymous   |March.28.2008 Coming Sunday: A Chronicle examination of top salaries in the Bay Area

Anonymous   |March.28.2008 To find out the top earners in these cities, click on the links below: City of San Francisco's Over-$100,000 Earners http://sfgate.com/webdb/sfpay City of San Jose's Over-$100,000 Earners http://sfgate.com/webdb/sanjosepay City of Oakland's Over-$100,000 Earners http://sfgate.com/webdb/oaklandpay City of Vallejo's Over-$100,000 Earners http://sfgate.com/webdb/vallejo

Anonymous   |March.28.2008 Bay Area Cities' Over-$100,000 Earners http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/citypay/ Coming Sunday: A Chronicle examination of top salaries in the Bay Area

On Fire   |March.28.2008 Overpaid stated "Anyway, fun as all this gossip is, we digress from the main topic...." were your comments regarding the VATPC gossip? I'm just trying to put you into the proper perspective and so looking for clarification. And just so that we are clear, "we" have not digressed, as you are on your own road trip. So did the VATPC shut down an alcohol est. that you owned or what?

Still Here   |March.28.2008 Ed, still waiting on the answers to my questions. Could you expound on the merits of removing the conditional use permit provisions for downtown? Why is the downtown area needing exemptions from the rules that govern the rest of the city?

On Fire   |March.28.2008 Overpaid and/or Ed Buck, while I'm on the subject, could you please tell us why someone who ran on the platform of being "woman to woman" business savvy and was in charge of security of a major dept. store, was employed with Lincoln Loan? Did her position involve security or securing pawn shop loans? I'm just curious.

On Fire   |March.28.2008 Overpaid, while I don't have an issue with Lincoln Loan, maybe you should direct your inquiry to Mr. Buck. I believe that his buddy, Linda Engleman, the ex-planning commissioner, ex-LNG advocate, (even made a commercial for Shell/Bechtel in hopes they would add money to her political war chest) ex-henkee pawn, ex-union kiss up, and three time candidate for City Council (so close yet so far) was an employee of Lincoln Loan. And as far as I know, they don't sell alcohol or tobacco products do they? You do know that the VATPC only dealt with alcohol and tobacco issues didn't you? Lincoln Loan was not part of that group's pervue, so not sure of the connection your trying to make. Just what group of people are you having an issue with? People that are paying their PG&E or telephone bills there?

overpaid   |March.28.2008 Ed isn't advocating for liquor stores necessarily, and BevMo would not be attracting the same crowd which hangs out across from Lincoln Loan. Why aren't people complaining about Lincoln Loan? they attract an unsavory crowd, no? I don't see the Prohibition Coalition bothering them...oh I forgot, respectable family. other storefronts remain empty, and I spend my money elsewhere, sadly. Anyway, fun as all this gossip is, we digress from the main topic... the news on labor negotiations. Mediation starts next week. Lawyers on monday, IAFF and VPD are set to posture and prance for the rest of the week.

Curious   |March.28.2008 Ed, don't quote Katherine Donovan as fact. She was caught on numerous occasions....ah..."embroidering the truth".

Osbys Neighbor   |March.28.2008 Ed I have to drive at least 5 to 10 miles to buy most things and yet you feel disenfranchised if you don't have a liquor store that can be walked to in 5 minutes or less. I don't think most people object to a restaurant serving liquor but how does another liquor store benefit the Downtown. I haven't heard you proposing to close the Marin Market and Liquor Store etc.If you did I would take your request more seriously. By the way Safeway,Cosco,Raleys etc has a decent selection of wines etc and don't create the problems seen when liquor stores open.

Still Here   |March.28.2008 Funny with all of that research and input, that the Council pulled the item anyway. But the question still stands, if with both scenerios the permits are reviewed case by case, why would there be a need to give downtown a special variance?

Ed Buck   |March.28.2008 At no time did I say downtown needed more liquor stores. I was just relaying the events of a meeting almost five years ago. By the way before the proposal was developed by staff, the City Manager and the City Attorney had been consulted for their input. A venue serving or selling alcohol does not automatically mean there is going to be an upsurge in homelessness and alcohol abuse. What I want are better choices in Vallejo in close proximity to my residence which is only a few blocks from downtown. Why not a BevMo in downtown?

Osbys Neighbor   |March.28.2008 Ed You never answered my question why downtown needs more liquor stores

Still Here   |March.28.2008 You are correct Ed, that would not give an automatic approval. So if each permit is reviewed case by case, what is the reasoning to remove the CUP from downtown since this is the process already in place?

Ed Buck   |March.28.2008 In regards to the planning meeting where this was discussed,planner Katherine Donovan was asked if Triad had voiced any concerns. She replied that Triad had not voiced any and had not written any concerns about this issue. At the time of this issue, the words Arts and Entertainment District had entered the lexicon. In fact in late March of 2003 such a proclamation was issued by the Mayor, at an event in front of the Empress. This was before the afore mentioned planning commission meeting. This revision for the downtown area would not mean an automatic approval of each and every liquor serving establishment. Each application would be handled on a case by case basis.

Firebug   |March.28.2008 Vallejo in the news again, SFtimes seems to be implicating that the other three major cities contracts are even more lucrative than Vallejo's but we need to conitnue to remind them the things that aren't similar. No evaluations for example ,the history of Kurt Henke, no public works of non-profit $$, the UBL scandal, and the list goes on. http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/citypay/

John K   |March.27.2008 On Fire... much thanks to you and the other wonderful folks in this forum for making it possible to have relevant information so accessible. The VIB web and this forum have become the basis of a civics class for some of us. Transparency in local government. The madness is becoming visible, but sometimes the information stream is overwhelming, like trying to take a drink of water from a fire hose.

On Fire   |March.27.2008 For a bit of history on what John is talking about, go into the archives here (Burning Archive) and then to The Full Henke. There is a small portion of the articles from that era. For those of us who have been here awhile, we have worked to bring this maddness to light and I for one am so glad that so many are now becoming aware of the mafia like control these people have held over the city. Sometimes you have to have everything fall apart before you can rebuild and restructure things to work correctly. Some people like to paint Gomes, Schivley, Cloutier and Pearsall as union busters with a vendetta against henke. But there have been too many that didn't have the courage to deal with the union boys and that is why we are in this fiscal fiasco now. We have the ground swell in our favor now and can bring an end to the madness. Keep asking questions. Seize the time.

shay58   |March.27.2008 John K I don't have words for this. This is amazing. This is not just a case of "we've been too busy" this borders on criminal. "He Who Must Be Obeyed" has, without a doubt, been in charge of Vallejo for a long time. This may be obvious but why hasn't Sherman said anything. You would think that some city leader would come forward and at the least say this abuse can't continue. All we get is silence.

John K   |March.27.2008 shay58: my meds haven't kicked in yet, but as I recall, the city has indeed been held liable when a firefighter was fired. It was the notorious union boss "He Who Must Not Be Named" and he was fired for interfering with city business or Impersonating a City Manager, or something like that. But without performance standards in place, the city was forced to rehire him and he unleashed a barrage of lawsuits against city officials. So your apprehension is warranted. The sooner we get a written performance eval in place, the better.

shay58   |March.27.2008 ME TOO!!!

Ghost   |March.27.2008 Shay58, glad the meds kicked in

Shay58   |March.27.2008 Sorry: Let me try my last post again. With a correction. Want to bet some kind of "performance evaluation" process has been in place when the VFD wanted to get rid of someone who DIDN'T fit in. Seems to me if they've terminated somone without a set evaluation process the fire department - and therefore the city - could be held liable. Right? This mess is a lot worse than I thought.

Robin   |March.27.2008 AW "..... why are we paying for fully crewed, multi-ton, mega-dollar, fire engines that most days serve only as taxis to carry a fire extinguisher to a smoldering waste bin or, more often, to carry hard working Paramedics and EMTs to their work?" Holyconflict Batman!!!!!! Aren't 99% of the FD either paramedics or EMT's or both! Does that make them "hardworking" fireslacking EMT/paramedics? Where do we separate the hardworking from the fireslackers? Anytime they're near the medical bag they are hardworking and whenever they're near their fire gear they're fireslacker? If 90% of their time is spent doing medical calls then there are a lot of "hardworking" individuals in the FD.

shay58   |March.27.2008 Want to bet some kind of "performance evaluation" process has been in place when the VFD wanted to get rid of someone who fofm'y fit in. Seems to me if they've terminated somone without a set evaluation process the fire department - and therefore the city - could be held liable. Right? This mess is a lot worse than I thought.

John K   |March.27.2008 They can field a crack team of 7 savvy contract negotiators, but in 10 years they're not smart enough to create a written performance eval for their own members? Gotta ask: Does this same problem must exist in other cities represented by the 1186 Gang? Like Benicia, Fairfield, Cordelia, American Canyon, and Rio Vista? Holy smoke

shay58   |March.27.2008 The Big Spin March 27, 2008 VPD - No process for reviews (We couoldn't make this stuff up folks - even if we tried.) Jon Riley, IAFF vp: "more pressing issues, like budget cutback have historically overshadowed the few discussions unions and city leaders have had about evaluations." Police Sgt. Herman Robinson: "Its pretty much been a non-issue over the years." Former Mayor Tony Intintoli: "I was aware there was a problem, but I had to leave that for management." A T-H blogger: "So what? Evaluations are 99% make-work BS -routine paperwork. If problems with performance are solved without meaningless paperwork then WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?? That's fine, just continue to harp on and on and on and on and on about all things fire department related, as if you know anything about it..." source: The T-H

Osbys neighbor   |March.27.2008 Ed Since when is a multitude of liquor stores considered a plus for an Arts and Entertainment District unless you are planning on giving the homeless and drunks more access to culture.

On Fire   |March.27.2008 Well the Times-Horrid must be slow since we have been graced by Ed Buck's presence. Ed was an LNG advocate as well as a henkette cheerleader and very vocal about people who he considered a "fringe group."

Still Here   |March.27.2008 Ed, I believe if you go back and read the comments the subject that was being discussed was about downtown so that fact was est. already. And a correction to your "clarification", the ordinance was not Deemed Approved but the Conditional Use Permit. Deemed Approved covers existing alcohol outlets hence the title "deemed". As far as very little opposition? It was more like the planning commission gave it very little thought since they were not even close to est. an entertainment district that far back. The reason it was pulled by Council and sent back to the Planning dept. for more study was for this very same reason. There was very little reference materials provided to Council for the Planning Commission's decision. I believe that Triad also had some concerns on this. You don't place an exception on city ordinances without some sort of planning of what that would entail. The concern was not from the possibility of a Bev-Mo or a venue for entertainment, but what fit with the master plan for downtown and having a balance of businesses. As it is now, each permit is reviewed by it's own merits which is working fine till more studies are submitted.

Ed Buck   |March.27.2008 A matter of clarification on Still Here's stating that the planning commission wanted to remove all restrictions in regards to the Deemed Approved Ordinance. The only part that would be changed for the downtown area would be the 1000 foot rule. This would allow entertainment venues and a quality alcohol store (i.e. BevMo, or an independent operator ) to exist within 1000 feet of each other, without a major variance application. This would allow a true Arts and Entertainment District. All other provisions of the Alcohol ordinance would stay in effect. The planning commission voted unanimous to create this exception, after a public hearing with little opposition. This exception was removed from the council agenda for further study by then Mayor Intintoli.

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 BTW, here's the statistics for the "BIG 3" newspapers in Solano County. Pretty interesting stuff. I also throw in Napa for a fair and balanced comparison, too..... Vallejo Times-Herald www.timesheraldonline.com US Reach: 16,947 Vallejo newspaper giving reports on news and sports. Also carries editorials and contact information.[Description from dmoz] This site reaches approximately 19,496 U.S. monthly uniques. The site caters to a slightly more male than female, primarily older audience.The typical visitor reads the Contra Costa Times, uses earthquake.usgs.gov, and shops at Raley's. Fairfield Daily Republic www.dailyrepublic.com US Reach: 9,767 View items from a newspaper serving Fairfield-Suisun City. Includes with news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and political coverage.[Description from dmoz] This site reaches approximately 10,496 U.S. monthly uniques. The site attracts a primarily older, HH income up to $60k, slightly female slanted following.The typical visitor reads the Contra Costa Times, plays the California state lottery, and banks at Bank of the West. Vacaville Reporter www.thereporter.com US Reach: 16,426 Daily newspaper serving Vacaville and northern Solano County. Includes news, sports, features, and classifieds.[Description from dmoz] This site reaches approximately 16,426 U.S. monthly uniques. The site is popular among a primarily older group.The typical visitor shops at Raley's, reads the Contra Costa Times, and patronizes Longs Drug Stores. Napa Valley Register www.napavalleyregister.com US Reach: 36,058 Daily newspaper web site serving Napa Valley with news, sports, entertainment, weather and classified ads.[Description from dmoz] This site reaches approximately 36,058 U.S. monthly uniques. The site caters to a slightly more male than female, primarily older following.The typical visitor reads the Contra Costa Times and shops at Raley's. Website Rankings Per Month Source: Quantcast Audience Search http://www.quantcast.com/

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Council Watch www.councilwatch.net US Reach: < 2,000 Sorry, we don't have enough data to profile that site. If you own the site, you should Quantify it by embedding a small javascript tag so we can give you accurate traffic analysis. Quantifying is easy and free. Website Rankings Per Month Source: Quantcast Audience Search http://www.quantcast.com/

Firebug   |March.27.2008 Shay58 Discipline for VFD? Well according to the W-2 results it must be "mandatory overtime" and speaking of "killing another tree" I bet the fd payroll kills lots a lot more trees than a yearly evaluation could. Anony could you run the statistics on "councilwatch.net"

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Lennar Corporation www.lennar.com US Reach: 152,181 National home builder with information on the company and contacts. [Description from dmoz] This site reaches over 185K U.S. monthly uniques. The site appeals to a more educated, fairly wealthy audience.The typical visitor visits newhomesource.com, reads lvrj.com, and uses PayPal. Triad Development www.triaddev.com US Reach: < 2,000 This site reaches fewer than 2000 U.S. monthly uniques. The site caters to a mostly Caucasian, largely male audience. Website Rankings Per Month Source: Quantcast Audience Search http://www.quantcast.com/

On Fire   |March.27.2008 That's funny, I thought it was Ms. Go Go Gomes (she likes the name) was the one who requested that the city manager bring the performance evaluations forward? Now all of a sudden bartenkee is taking the lead according to the T-H?

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 S.F. supes bemoan jump in overtime spending Cecilia M. Vega, Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday, March 27, 2008 http://www.sfgate.com/ San Francisco is on track to spend nearly $62 million more on overtime for city workers than it intended to in this year's budget, and officials blamed the soaring cost Wednesday on a shortage of police officers, nurses, firefighters and bus drivers. The skyrocketing figure was discussed the same day hundreds of young people marched on City Hall to protest cuts proposed by local lawmakers who must eliminate a projected $338 million budget deficit for the coming fiscal year. In the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, San Francisco is expected to spend more than $171 million on overtime for city workers, with six city departments responsible for the majority of the expenses, according to a report released this week by the Board of Supervisors budget analyst. That's a 13 percent increase over last year, the report said. Officials attributed the increase to staffing shortages in the Police, Fire and Sheriff's departments, the Municipal Transportation Agency, the Public Health Department and at the city Public Utilities Commission.

Tea Party   |March.27.2008 You are all invited to a Tea Party! Remember the last one? We threw the English tea into the Boston Harbor because of taxation without representation and started the American Revolution. We have the same situation now. I pay property taxes that are used to pay the Fire Department obscene salaries so that they can elect their own personal City Council to pay them more. So I am not paying my property taxes on April 10th. I recognize that will cost me a 10% late charge, but if it helps tip Vallejo into bankrupcy and finally some outside help, it will be worth it.

Little Old Lady   |March.27.2008 Miss... Bingo! My children and I lived in one of those Oakland Hill houses after I got rid of their alcoholic father and we barely got by because he did not pay child support. I refused to sell the house and paid off my ex-husband half the equity with a loan after I got a job as a clerk. I held onto that house by shear will because it was in a good school district and the neighborhood was stable. I got all of my kids through good universities, one with a PhD. On the HUD official ranking, I am now Low Income but I own my own home because I could parlay the equity for an affordable house in Vallejo. In the official tally, the only housing that is considered "Affordable" is the subsidized rental housing even though there is a lot of affordable housing in Vallejo that people like me can buy. But I am one of the few resident homeowners on my block. The other 80% are rentals..."Affordable" (subsidized), affordable and halfway houses with clients from other communities. It appears that the City of Vallejo staff doesn't care one whit about my quality of life. One of the key features of sustainable, livable communities is a strong working, middle class and the political will to create neighborhoods of choice not neighborhoods of last resort. It is important to understand the spin that benefits the VHA. The TH had an article about Eden Housing and the council's concern that they should be rehabbing existing housing in older, distressed neighborhoods for 55 years. Guess what, that is where all the subsidized housing is now so they intend to increase the concentrations of poverty in the Old Town. We need to spread all types of housing around ..creating "Affordable" and affordable rentals in Hiddenbrooke and Mare Island and high end home ownership in the older neighborhoods. I don't know much about the Buchongo settlement but I would bet it was about misuse of Redevelopment funds.

shay58   |March.27.2008 LosmyfaithinthePD: sorry, haven't read that blog entry you mentioned. Overpaid: Thanks for your answer to my question regarding the waterfront. John C: Thanks for your comments regarding this affordable housing issue. Allows me to look at an "uncomfortable" issue with a different perspective. Firebug: Remember Jon Riley's lecture/editorial on trust that was published in the T-H last week? This guy is a piece of work. Budget crisis and a set evaluation process are two separate issues. One fire fighter spin-meisters on yesterday's T-H blog accidentally revealed what might be the real truth behind the lack of a VFD evaluation process: "I wonder how many years council will spend wasting time about evaluations. It's truly just another tree killed." Question: What's been the process to discipline or fire a VFD employee for poor performance in the past 10 years if no evaluation process has been in place? And if they were fired or disciplined for poor performance with no real evaluation process in place, was the action legal? Oh, the spinners will be EXTRA busy today.

doobie   |March.27.2008 " It seems that the new broom has begun to sweep out some dusty files. After years of stonewalling by former Chief Parker, our new Chief, Russell Sherman" "..... why are we paying for fully crewed, multi-ton, mega-dollar, fire engines that most days serve only as taxis to carry a fire extinguisher to a smoldering waste bin or, more often, to carry hard working Paramedics and EMTs to their work? Why too, are we bound by a union-dictated contract that is forcing the lay-off of younger, better qualified, needed Paramedics and EMTs in order to keep unnecessary, overpaid, fire slackers sleeping, drinking, and abalone fishing on the city payroll?" Excellent questions for the Chief with the broom at a council meeting!

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 City of Vallejo ci.vallejo.ca.us US Reach: 21,821 This destination reaches approximately 23,417 U.S. monthly uniques. The destination appeals to a slightly more male than female, fairly wealthy audience.The typical visitor reads the Contra Costa Times. Vallejo Baylink Ferry www.baylinkferry.com US Reach: 6,149 This site reaches approximately 6,149 U.S. monthly uniques. The site attracts a more affluent audience.The typical visitor reads the Sacramento Bee, subscribes to Travel and Leisure, and watches MTV. Vallejo Transit www.vallejotransit.com US Reach: 4,260 This site reaches approximately 4,377 U.S. monthly uniques. The site is popular among a mostly female, more Asian crowd. Website Rankings Per Month Source: Quantcast Audience Search http://www.quantcast.com/

Alun Whittaker   |March.27.2008 Vallejo Times-Herald The Editor, Dear Sir: At last some good news from the fire house. It seems that the new broom has begun to sweep out some dusty files. After years of stonewalling by former Chief Parker, our new Chief, Russell Sherman, has ruled that in future fire department call statistics will be published monthly on the City of Vallejo web site. The first published months, January and February 2008, are now available and very revealing. For example, the figures clearly support the claim that fires and fire hazards of every kind represent less than 10% of all VFD service calls. There were less than 100 fires, of every degree of severity - building, car, cook stove, weed patch, trashcan, illegal camp fire, or litter bin , in the entire 2 month period. On the other hand 80% and more of calls are for emergency medical service. In January and February, that amounted to over 1500 calls, and that figure excludes motor vehicle accident calls! This prompts the question, yet again, of why are we paying for fully crewed, multi-ton, mega-dollar, fire engines that most days serve only as taxis to carry a fire extinguisher to a smoldering waste bin or, more often, to carry hard working Paramedics and EMTs to their work? Why too, are we bound by a union-dictated contract that is forcing the lay-off of younger, better qualified, needed Paramedics and EMTs in order to keep unnecessary, overpaid, fire slackers sleeping, drinking, and abalone fishing on the city payroll? Yours sincerely Alun Whittaker -- if that really is his name??? PS Amazing how the performance evaluation story turned into a page one topper after they have obtained the proper guidance and quotes from the union. On the other hand, pro-union spin or not, I still can't see anything about that story that doesn't reinforce everything we've always known about Fire Department corruption.

Firebug   |March.27.2008 My My how come we get the name of cops and families, the name of folks that call 911, and we can't even get the name of the driver that crashed the $300,000 fire truck last July?

LostmyfaithinthePD   |March.27.2008 I have been reading the blogs on the TH web site and on VIB. I see that there is a lot of concerned people on both sites. I also see some people posting a lot of negative and hateful posts. But the one thing that caught my eye and really botherd me was the posting about captain Dave Jackson and his daughter Kristin. Has anyone on here read or heard about this? I was shocked to find out about her poor workmanship and lack of good judgement. Getting a DUI(.17) and a hit and run and taking 6 weeks off cause she is stressed and being on probation at work and not being able to perform correctly on the job, is not ok. But she seems to be getting special treatment. Is this true? I felt for a long time that Nepotism was not that big of a deal. The chief and his son working in the same dept. did not bother me, until now. If she is getting away with behavior that someone else in the dept. would have already lost their job over is that fair? No. It's not. Someone should really check into this. There is plenty of people their that don't deserve to get laid off. So why should they lay off someone who is more qualified and can handle their job duties and keep her, just because her daddy is the captain is beyond me. I am posting on here cause I feel that someone on here reading this can give me correct information. Is this all true. Thank you.

Firebug   |March.27.2008 It was funny reading Jon RIley's flip-flopping in today's TH "UNION SAYS NO PROCESS FOR REVIEWS" Apparently now the first priority is the city's budget crisis that he and his cohorts were in denial about for over a year. Apparently an evaluation of fire fighters in vallejo is something as unique as the w2 salaries of vallejo firefighters (only in vallejo).

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Vallejo Times-Herald www.timesheraldonline.com US Reach: 16,947 Vallejo newspaper giving reports on news and sports. Also carries editorials and contact information. [Description from dmoz] This site reaches approximately 19,496 U.S. monthly uniques. The site caters to a slightly more male than female, primarily older audience.The typical visitor reads the Contra Costa Times, uses earthquake.usgs.gov, and shops at Raley's. Vallejo independent Buletin ibvallejo.com US Reach: < 2,000 Sorry, we don't have enough data to profile that site. If you own the site, you should Quantify it by embedding a small javascript tag so we can give you accurate traffic analysis. Quantifying is easy and free. San Francisco Chronicle www.sfgate.com US Reach: 3,157,732 Daily newspaper for the greater San Francisco area. Includes global news, regional information, classifieds, and entertainment. [Description from dmoz] Sfgate.com is a large site that reaches over 3.9 million U.S. monthly uniques. The site attracts a fairly wealthy, more educated, skewing older, slightly more male than female audience.The typical visitor reads thehill.com. US Reach: 3,157,732 Website Rankings Per Month Source: Quantcast Audience Search http://www.quantcast.com/

John K   |March.27.2008 Wow, Alun. Your sure stirred 'em up this time with your "Spot the Hidden Headline" contest. They obviously got the message as you will see if you glance at a newsstand and see today's front page. You can spot the Times-Horrid headline from 50 feet away: UNION SAYS NO PROCESS FOR REVIEWS. John Kocourek

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Lennar Swings to 1Q Loss, Demand Down Thursday March 27, 7:46 AM EDT http://finance.myway.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt_top.jsp?news_id=ap-d8vlojjg0& MIAMI (AP)

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Lennar Swings to 1Q Loss, Demand Down Thursday March 27, 7:46 AM EDT http://finance.myway.com/ MIAMI (AP)

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.27.2008 Having grown up in the city of Oakland, and at the poverty level, my single mom refused to accept section 8 or live in a housing project. She use to say, we will make it somehow, and dont need to live in a getto. Our apartment was broken in to several times, and the little we had stolen. Our apartment was in a bad area off Foothill blvd but was still better than living in one of Oakland's many projects. On Sundays, we would drive through the hills of Oakland and look at all the beautiful homes, my mom would say if you work hard you can have a home like that and she was right! My point is, poor people clusttered together in large groups is very depressing, there is no hope for many of them, or they feel there is no hope. Its actually social segregation. It defeats the actual purposes of trying to help someone help themselves.

Anonymous   |March.27.2008 Wake up and smell the coffee! This morning's Time Herald front page article was about the Eden Housing company along with the Vallejo Housing Authority looking to build another big project. Remember social engineering does not work, high density housing + poor people = instant getto! Poor people do not want to live exclusively with other poor people, thats not how real life is. Why do we want to concentrate large masses of poor people together? Well Eden Housing would make more money, as there would be a greater pool of money coming from redevelopment funds and it would be quicker and easier. Great for Eden Housing and the VHA, not good for VAllejo! Lets watch what they are going to push past us, after all VHA had such great success with Sereno Village and 201 Maine large projects. They want to do it again, its fun when its not in the city you live in! Funding could be used to help people buy their first condo/townhome/home, but thats not as lucrative as the big projects that go on for 55 years. Funding could also be used to build senior housing (like they do in San Leandro) as many seniors are at poverty levels too, but thats not as lucrative either. Remember... If you build it they will come!

L. Meitzenheimer   |March.26.2008 And thank you "understanding the real truth". Our group's name is the Vallejo Alcohol and Tobacco Policy Coalition. The work we do is guided by documented statistics and policy that has been proven to be effective in other states. We also have worked with the city to establish policies that are now being mirrored in other cities. If anyone has concerns or issues about our work, they should come to the meetings and share them. The members of the Coalition come from all over Vallejo and many have become involved because of problems they faced in their own neighborhoods. We have a diverse group and welcome all that want to become involved or learn how to deal with issues in their neighborhoods. While we have worked primarily with alcohol and drug related issues, we have recently taken on tobacco and smoke shops. We are spearheading the move to get the city to regulate these type of businesses and welcome all that want to work on establishing good policy for the city. And now I will leave you to your dialog and sorry for taking so much space for my comments but I felt the need to address the statements from "overpaid". It's great to hear the interest and suggestions on this site. Change can happen from grassroots efforts. Great work VIB.

L. Meitzenheimer   |March.26.2008 overpaid, while you are certainly entitled to your opinion, I believe you are mnisguided. I invite you to attend our monthly meetings, on the second Wed. each month in the Fighting Back conference room at 5:30pm. I invite you (and anyone else that would be interested in learning about the work we do or may want to become involved) to attend and meet the people in the Coalition and have the opportunity to educate yourself on our mission. While we do review all alcohol permits, the majority are not opposed. If the party has a sound business plan and the location in not in an overly concentrated census tract, there would be no issue. This is not unique to Vallejo as many cities have some sort of review process. We are all volunteers and have a strong commitment to improving the environment for our kids and the community as a whole. I have worked as a volunteer with this group for over ten years. Most business owners have operated without problems, but we still have a number that will sell to minors or become problematic and negatively impacting the neighborhood. We serve to help educate the business owners on how to be successfull and good neighbors. It's easy to place the responsibility on the police dept. to monitor and deal with problem businesses, but as recently noted, the citizens have to become involved and help keep our neighborhoods safe because the police can't do it all. So I look forward to meeting you there and lets talk about your concerns.

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 The real estate market is collapsing folks...... Equity Loans as Next Round in Credit Crisis By VIKAS BAJAJ, New York Times March 27, 2008 Little by little, millions of Americans surrendered equity in their homes in recent years. Lulled by good times, they borrowed

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 The real estate market is collapsing folks...... Equity Loans as Next Round in Credit Crisis By VIKAS BAJAJ, New York Times March 27, 2008 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/ business/27loan?_r=1&hp= &pagewanted=print&oref=slogin Little by little, millions of Americans surrendered equity in their homes in recent years. Lulled by good times, they borrowed

Understanding the Real Truth   |March.26.2008 If you are going to talk about the City of Vallejo and organizations within the City, at least know what you are talking about. First of all, it is not the Anti-Alcohol Coalition. It is the Alcohol Policy Coalition that was formed many years ago. The goal of the Coalition is not to ban the sales of alcohol, but to make sure that there is not a congestion of alcohol outlets within 1,000 feet of each other. Congestion of alcohol outlets creates crime per national search. On another topic, lets talk about performance evaluations. Why is everyone making a big d--- deal about it as there are standard forms to use. Those topics in evalutions include: 1. Work habits 2. Safety 3. Job Performance 4. Appearance and Grooming 5. Equipment use and maintenance 6. External Relations with the public Ratings are: 1.Acceptable 2.Unacceptable 3.Exceptional The purpose of evalutions are to use them as a training method to improve performance or reward an employee for exceptional performance for promotion opportunties. How unfair is it not let an employee know that he/she is not performing up to a standard and now to correct that performance. Or worse, not rewarding an employee for doing a great job. So what this means is that the Fire Department is promoting people due to seniorty and some test results because the IAFF doesn't want their members to be evaluated as other City Departments. Why???????

overpaid   |March.26.2008 As to the waterfront: the CEQA challenge killed it. It's dead. But Joe DeSilva has friends in high places. His best friend Peratta has awarded to his new creation the" water emergency transportation agency" all the ferry parking lot land and ferry buildings. So instead of a development agreement with the City , there will be a development agreement between Joe and the State. I'm sure Joe will like it. and he won't have to worry about city jurisdiction because it will be owned by the State, and try suing the state if you don't like the plan....wait, they'll say, what plan?.... Talk about waterfront development then. It's hard to say what will happen...through the glass darkly...

John C   |March.26.2008 Wow. Lively discussion on the board today. Uncomfortable topics, no name calling and almost no yelling. I'm really grateful for all the voices and points of view that appear on these pages. I've learned more about the community in the last 6 months than I had in the previous 4 years I've lived here. The illumination has been disturbing to say the least. I agree that the primary focus in the short term must remain on the union business and the imeediate fiscal crisis. The reasons have long been elucidates by others. The long term view, however, must include the apparently disproportionate numbers of public assistance renters, parollees and rehab. facilities that have found there way to Vallejo. I agree it is an uncomfortable topic. Important topics often are. I don't think, 'tho, that it's, hateful or NIMBYish to examine Vallejo's overall population dynamic. Businesses, whether retail, manufacturing or other will want to locate themselves where they percieve an available clentele and potential skilled workforce nearby. Fairness to individuals and fairness to the community as a whole is a delicate balancing act. So, I hope the conversation continues in the same civil tone that the posters here usually maintain. This week has been a very good start. Meanwhile, I'm shocked, just shocked to find no firefighter evaluations for ten years.

overpaid   |March.26.2008 Yes I meant nice restaurants, cafes, bars. Yes, I think the Vallejo Alc and Tobacco coalition is part of the problem and not the solution. I don't care that in the PAST they think they resolved a problem of dumpy bars attracting crime. That problem was the VPDs to resolve. Instead the 'solution' was worse than the disease: an extra layer of volunteer bureaucrats cross examining every application, and seeing crime and sin behind every establishment

doobie   |March.26.2008 Public Safety's Spin of the Day "Who would do these evaluations? What criteria would the person be judged?" Why is Schively wasting time on evaluating job performance? From what I can gather on this blog, these jobs (at least Fire) are so easy anyone with a pulse can do it. Its like asking someone to write up performance evaluations for cat tossing. What are they gonna fail???????rolling a hose up?

shay58   |March.26.2008 Public Safety's Spin of the Day "Who would do these evaluations? What criteria would the person be judged?" "I wonder how many years council will spend wasting time about evaluations. It's truly just another tree killed." "Shame on all of you who believe your police officers are not invested in your community."

MAD IN N.VALLEJO   |March.26.2008 One more thing. It's not the actuall police/firefighters and Section 8 peoples faults, it's our city government for allowing and accepting(paid) all of this to come about in the first place. The finger can't really be pointed anywhere else. They allowed union contracts, they allowed the blight, period($$$$$$$). This s**ts gotta stop. People really have to spend the time and learn about exactly who they are electing, and more impotantly, who they are connected to.

MAD IN N.VALLEJO   |March.26.2008 Wow. It almost seems hopeless here. Between the police/fire union, VHA, Chamber Of Commerce, Realtor Board, etc, etc, it looks like our city is getting our money leeched out of it at every angle. If this redevelopment fund situation is true, then it is in the best interest of our city government and business owners to keep Vallejo "blighted" so they can continue to collect a check from it. It would almost seem like if every person(and I mean EVERYONE) was educated about all these "shenanigans"(or atleast the ones not profiting from them) then everyone would DEMAND accountability for all these key back door dealing players in our city. But that will never happen and it's up to the people of our city to RISE UP AND TAKE IT BACK FROM "THE OUTSIDERS".

Shay58   |March.26.2008 On Fire: You put into words what I couldn't. The conversation regarding Section 8 makes me extremely uncomfortable. I have no concern who lives in Hiddenbrook or what they drive. And I'm a taxpaeyer, too.

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 Can someone educate the General Parts Manager at Volkswagen Of Vallejo(Overweight one with a mustache). This person has an extremely negative perception of Vallejo & talks %$#@ about our City Council,town,stores,residents you name it...It all started when I went to purchase a part for my 05 Jetta & I related I was excited for our downtown developments...then he went off,as if he had recited earlier what he was going to say. He lives in Napa & has been working here for 15+ years. I don't understand why some individuals work here, then turn around and talk sh*t of Vallejo. If you don't like it here & do not want to be a part of the solution, we don't want you here either!! We got into a deep conversation, which ended in a political argument...he was for the LNG Plant,prisons & casinos etc...etc...your typical build anything in Vallejo" I don't live here" Someone needs to put him in his place & educate him. So now think about this, if you lived in a nice City near the ocean, with one of the best weather in the world, offered so much potential, there was a variety of mix people from talented artists to Engineers...why would you want to build an LGN Plant, prison,casinos and a variety of 99 cent stores.

On Fire   |March.26.2008 I am curious on why we have been stuck on the issue of section 8 and poor people. I would have to give the benefit of the doubt to the people who have choice vouchers in Hiddenbrooke, as they may be receiving only a portion of the subsidy and living with relatives. The verification process is in place and if people are trying to defraud the government, there isn't too much we can do about that. The population in Hercules is very high as far as immigrants are concerned and after obtaining their citizenship, they generally file for aide of some sort as they have no source of income. The family that sponsered them now want them to go out and find some income and this has paid for many a home in that area. So in one way of thinking, the State of California has paid for a percentage of homes in that area. We, as citizens can't stop people from cheating. People who are CEO's of major corporations are cheats...choke Mandrich, Cornelius Wilson, the Team Chev. boys...etc. etc. The direction to take, in my opinion is to ask that the city put a moritorium on any new housing developments that are not already in the process. That will cut down on the new subsidized housing plans that are trying to move in. There needs to be a study on how much housing is currently available and what is the current need for additional subsidized housing and whether or not the city's current financial situation can afford it. There needs to be a major overhaul on how the city looks at low to moderate income housing and where it is located. I would think that with all of the homes possibly going into forclosure, that that would be the target for the city to use as housing. I don't know, just trying to think outside of that big box. But one thing for sure, we won't solve this issue any time soon. I would like to see a community meeting to push the idea of the rental review board again. That would deal with at least some of the issues don't you think? Subsidized or not, the landlord has to be addressed.

Little Old Lady   |March.26.2008 Check out www.preservecitypark.com/subsidized for the overall numbers and locations of Section 8 housing. The downtown census tract is 56% subsidized.

Tax Man   |March.26.2008 Silas, according to the data provided by the Vallejo Housing Authority there are 3 section 8 choice vouchers issued for residences in Hiddenbrooke. This data was from 2006 but I have ask them for the most recent data and will share it when it becomes available.

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 *** REMINDER - March 27, 2008 at 110 a.m. Eastern Time *** Lennar Corporation's First Quarter Earnings Conference Call to be Broadcast Live on the Internet http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/ show/lennar-corporations-first-quarter -earnings-conference-call-to-be-broadcast ,314651.shtml MIAMI, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- Lennar Corporation announced today that the Company will release earnings for the first quarter ended February 29, 2008 before the market opens on March 27, 2008. Additionally, the Company will hold a conference call on March 27, 2008 at 110 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be broadcast live on the Internet and can be accessed through Lennar's website at http://www.lennar.com/ . If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at http://www.lennar.com/ for 90 days

Silas Barnabe   |March.26.2008 On Fire:"I believe that Silas was being facetious in the fact that the henkette's cheerleaders are always alledging that Gomes and Schivley are not business friendly and driving business away? Yet, when it makes good sense, the funded majority and mayor will do exactly that, keep what appears to be a bad business in check and out of Vallejo. So because Gomes and Schivley have use common sense in their decisions the cheerleaders critcize them yet their group has just done the same thing, used common sense. But Silas, the henkettes don't see that do they? On-Fire You are correct I was being facetious in that post and just like is being demonstrated in other discussions their (henkettes) same old tactic of "ignore divert" is enacted. I believe there is a section 8 family living in Hiddenbrook as much as I believe in the now infamous welfare queen propaganda that Ronald Reagan ran on back in 1980. Remember the stories of a lady dressed in diamonds and gold and drove a Cadillac that picked up welfare checks at dozens of welfare offices? Reagan's propaganda and his "angry white male" rhetoric is unfortunately alive and well.

Tax Man   |March.26.2008 OK Little Old Lady, count me in as a premier member of your fan club. I really do believe what were talking about here is the ghettoization of Vallejo. I suspect there are both sincere and greed motives at work but unless we can curb and then roll back some of these numbers we will never be able to revitalize a thing here in Vallejo.

Shay58   |March.26.2008 Sorry, last post was Shay 58...

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 Ann O. Nemus: I, too, have been there and done that. If people live next door to me or across the street and are causing problems, I take appropriate action. My greatest concern right now is paying taxes on Henke Hi-Jinks. What's up with the VFD and no employee evaluations? It just keeps getting worse. I bet they are busy at the fire stations today - cutting, pasting and backdating forms that are suppose to pass as "evaluations."

Little Old Lady   |March.26.2008 In the past, HUD has required one bedroom per person over two. That is a family of 2 people could rent a one-bedroom, but a family of 5 would need a 4 bedroom home. I don't know if this has been changed. Maybe you all did not get the gist of these posts. The problem with the large number of Section 8 Choice vouchers is the sucking sound from other communities who really do have an affordability problem which then perturbates the large number of non-section 8 substandard rentals to feed people into the Section 8 system and make owners rich. I get letters from Marin investment companies all the time wanting to buy my home because it is "just what they are looking for and they can only buy 10 this year". The owner of the big black BMW with the Marin license plate surrounds is just showing his rental to a potential Section 8 tenant on my block which is about 70 to 80% non-owner occupied. Individual tenants are often wonderful people and some of my best friends have needed a helping hand at one time or another. But concentrations of poverty do have an overall economic impact on the community. The Brookings think tank puts it at $300 plus or minus dollars more in direct costs per person for a poverty level over 15% of the population. We have not even begun to talk about all of the halfway houses and drug rehab programs in Vallejo. Or the school for problem kids over on Farragut. Those programs direct clients from other communities here so they do not have to deal with them. The Solano County District Attorney is responsible for locating parolees here too. Why do you think we all have to drive to Trader Joe's.

Ann O. Nemus   |March.26.2008 My Sec 8 tenant doesn't drive a Mercedes or BMW. In fact she doesn't own a car, a big handicap for job opportunities. She's a dirt poor single mom with 3 kids, and if not for the voucher, she'd be homeless. Contractually she's supposed to maintain the yard, but when I drive by and notice that it hasn't been done, I just pay a yard maintenance guy $25 to mow and blow. This happens every few months, and I also occasionally get a day laborer to weed wack the backyard before it turns into a fire hazard. I don't hassle her over the cost; afterall, you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip. It's a challenge during the summer keeping the front lawn alive. It has an automatic sprinkler, but she's unplugged the controller. Every couple of months I get furnished a copy of a 15-day water shut off notice ... bottom line, she can't afford to water the lawn. Last winter she almost lost PG&E for non-payment. I try to be a good landlord, but it ain't easy. It's harder being poor, though. Been there, done that.

On Fire   |March.26.2008 Little old lady, I thought that HUD had recently changed the policy for the number of rooms that a family required? I remember reading an article that said that they required two children per bedroom so that would mean a family of 6 would only get a 3 bedroom home?

Shay58   |March.26.2008 Anonymous: Don't assume that these folks don't pay taxes.

Little Old Lady   |March.26.2008 There are two types of Section 8 vouchers. The Housing Choice vouchers, which the VHA administers, do total around 2,000. But the Project Based vouchers are negotiated by the owner directly with HUD in San Francisco. Projects include Sereno Village, Marina Village, Marina Towers, Casa de Vallejo and many more. That brings the total to over 4,000 vouchers in Vallejo. There may be more now than when we did the numbers. For the locations and numbers, check http://www.preservecitypark.com/subsidized/ The HUD guys name in SF is Ernest Mollins. You might give him a call to find out how many Project based vouchers are currently sent to Vallejo properties. The way Section 8 Choice Vouchers work is that someone gets a voucher based on their income and they are allowed to pay 30% of their income for housing. So if they an Extremely Low Income family of 6 the maximum they could pay would be $655 and they would need at least a 5 bedroom house. If that is the case in Hiddenbrooke, the difference between the $4,000 Hiddenbrooke rent and the allowable client rental payment would be $3,345 that is paid for by Federal taxpayers as HUD subsidies.

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 I factually know there are section 8 families living in Hidden Brooke. My post was merely a rhetorical question. My question now is - is this a blatant misuse of public funds? Again, is this fair, why do I have to work hard and pay my mortgage, and these families with little or no income reap the same benefits while I pay taxes?

Firebug   |March.26.2008 I don't see any referrence to "gambling" on the fighting back website. I do remember that they are also victims of the city budget cuts. They would certainly go a long way for me if and when a gambling casino is proposed they are against it. It would be rather disheartening for me to see an organization committed to addictive issues stay silent on such a proposal that has huge addictive consequences.

Spectator   |March.26.2008 On Fire; thanks for the clarification. Newcomers need a bit more explanation at times, as I could not define the tone on the smoke shop comment.

shay58   |March.26.2008 Still Here: Thanks. With a police substation just two blocks down from Green's liquor store, I never understood how things got so out of hand downtown. I'll check out the coalition's website.

Still Here   |March.26.2008 Shay58, I was commenting on overpaid's comment: "Shoot, waive all the conditional permit fees for the next 6 months, Bring in the RESTAURANTS and yes, cafes, and yes, BARS (much to the chagrin of the Anti Alcohol coalition who's stuck in the Prohibition and who aims to try to sink any business which threatens to bring any measure of fun." The history of downtown and the past business practices is what lead the city to come up with conditional use permits and deemed approved. There was an attempt by a past Planning Commissioner and council candidate, Linda Engleman and some of her cohorts, that wanted to remove the ordinance for down town so that there would be no restrictions on how many businesses that sold alcohol downtown. If you think about where the undesirables hang out and where most of the problems occur, it's by the alcohol outlets. (Green's liquor, the two bars, and the conv.shop on Maine.) Controls are in place for a reason and protect the surrounding neighborhoods. This doesn't limit good businesses that offer alcohol, but it does weed out ones that are simply trying to make a fast buck and reek havoc on the community. I suggest people go to the Vallejo Alcohol and Tobacco Policy Coalition website at www.fight-back.org to get information about the work that those citizens do before knocking them. They are the same group that spearheaded the city's attempt to get control over the smoke shops. There also is an excellant link to "why we need a rent review board" a program that never really got off the ground. This is exactly what the council was discussing last night with regards to coming up with a ordinance that regulates tobacco shops.

shay58   |March.26.2008 Funny how the word bankruptcy brought out the "Think Positive, Grow Rich" crowd. Where have they been all of these years? One T-H blogger said the poeple calling for bankruptcy weren't "prosperity thinkers." Please. Hmmm, wonder if the chamber of lack-of-commerce is holding positive thinking classes.

Alun Whittaker   |March.26.2008 "Spot the headline contest" Vallejo Times-Herald The Editor Dear Sir: My entry in your "Spot the Hidden Headline" competition was the story that the job performance of people who are amongst the highest paid in the city, and who are currently leading negotiations that could bankrupt the city, has never been properly evaluated. The story about the Fire Department violating the City Charter by "indefinitely" failing to perform employee reviews just made page one by a slim bottom corner, under a headline so tiny that it barely merited the name. Of course, that story did not suffer the fate of the one about the City's nepotism policy which was thrown out as one of the conditions of the police and fire unions giving back a small slice of this year's pay increases in the recent 4-month budget band-aid solution. That story only made page 5, following the Obituaries, and the story about the Library's used book sale. Alun Whittaker

On Fire   |March.26.2008 Anonymous, I seriously doubt that anyone on Section 8 is living in Hiddenbrooke. Unless there are multiple families sharing a house, the voucher is not going to cover a $4000 house payment. I'd check those facts if I was you.

On Fire   |March.26.2008 I believe that Silas was being facetious in the fact that the henkette's cheerleaders are always alledging that Gomes and Schivley are not business friendly and driving business away? Yet, when it makes good sense, the funded majority and mayor will do exactly that, keep what appears to be a bad business in check and out of Vallejo. So because Gomes and Schivley have use common sense in their decisions the cheerleaders critcize them yet their group has just done the same thing, used common sense. But Silas, the henkettes don't see that do they?

Firebug   |March.26.2008 I guess some addictions are more PC than others eh? gambling casinos, liquor stores just don't compare to a smoke shop.

Firebug   |March.26.2008 "You actually believe that liquor stores and Walmart are on the same level as Smoke Shops? But then again you probably agree with Silas that the council is chasing away meaningful tax revenue when it puts a moratorium on smoke shops. No wonder this town struggles to move forward .... you people are sooooooooo confused .... or just dumb." I didn't compare the negative effects of a smoke shop to genesis house surely you realize a liquor store does the same thing? Unless Genesis house doesn't treat alcoholics, your negative effect's argument is in your words "sooooooo dumb". As for Walmart the negative effects have been documented, and right here in our own town Nugget wouldn't come over if Walmart did. So begging the question what group is discouraging business from coming to Vallejo?

Spectator   |March.26.2008 Silas; I didn't understand the last part on your comment below. I understand they started a campaign to hopefully bring more revenue & did vote to ban smoke shops! So...why would we want a smoke shop in Vallejo?

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 "Like liquor stores and Walmart, I wonder where the "critical" thinking is there" You actually believe that liquor stores and Walmart are on the same level as Smoke Shops? But then again you probably agree with Silas that the council is chasing away meaningful tax revenue when it puts a moratorium on smoke shops. No wonder this town struggles to move forward .... you people are sooooooooo confused .... or just dumb.

shay58   |March.26.2008 Anonymous: That $4,000 Hidden Brook Section 8 rental floored me. I don't think Section 8 would pay for the full $4,000. Tenant has to pay some.

Firebug   |March.26.2008 "Just a guess, but the fab four+1 are looking for income that doesn't generate a net negative cash flow. Smoke shops generate more police and social cost than tax revenue. Every soul they (Smoke shops) help steer towards rehab and Genesis house negates any "tax" income they produce. Was that too much critical thinking for you?" Like liquor stores and Walmart, I wonder where the "critical" thinking is there

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 " last night's featured contradiction was the memory of Ozzie and the fab four playing a campaign tune called "bringing in more revenue" yet they voted to continue to ban smoke shops." Just a guess, but the fab four+1 are looking for income that doesn't generate a net negative cash flow. Smoke shops generate more police and social cost than tax revenue. Every soul they (Smoke shops) help steer towards rehab and Genesis house negates any "tax" income they produce. Was that too much critical thinking for you?

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 Who owns what property is public record, all you have to do is go to the county recorders office and look it up yourself. They have a computer right there for your use. Look up the address of the house you want to know about and out pops the name of the owner (and I believe their address). If you want to know if a house is section 8 you can call the housing authority and give them the address. They will tell you if it is a section 8 property. You won't find out the name of the occupant, but you will find out if its section 8. There are roughly 2000 section 8 tenants in Vallejo, not 4016. What makes me mad... I know my mortgage payment amount and the going rental amount is similar. How can section 8 afford to pay the going rate near me? Down the street, we have 2 section 8 tenants, in Hidden Brooke there are some also, how is this possible? I know that the mortgage on some of these houses is over $4,000.00 Does section 8 pays this much for these houses? If so, where do I sign up. These tenants drive Mercedes and BMW's. Why is this being overlooked? Is there fraud going on?

shay58   |March.26.2008 Overpaid Thanks for your post. It shed more light on the trickery that has gone on in Vallejo for eons. Poor people are being blamed for the problems downtown. I maintain that all of those "problem" people converged on downtown Vallejo to fill the void left by years of poor planning and lack of vision. That poor planning invited the problems we see there today. People don't go downtown because there's no downtown to go to. Duh. It's been that way for a long, long time. I'm sure low-income people didn't wake up one morning and say, "Geez, I think I'll move downtown." Many low income folks live above the shops down there. Now that would be interesting to find out who owns those buildings. Still Here: I don't think Overpaid meant the kinds of bars that filled our downtown back "in the day." You used the operative word: "sailors." Remember, we don't have that problem anyone. Face it. People drink, so decent choices could be a good thing. Overpaid: Question. Why has there been no real waterfront development? What's the problem there? We have one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the Bay Area. What's the deal?

Silas Barnabe   |March.26.2008 I love how at each council meeting the fab four and Ozzie continue to contradict themselves, last night's featured contradiction was the memory of Ozzie and the fab four playing a campaign tune called "bringing in more revenue" yet they voted to continue to ban smoke shops. I guess Ms. Gomes and Cloutier can't be singled out for running business out of town any longer.

Anonymous   |March.26.2008 Dear Ann, We are not pointing fingers at you as a land-lord, as you live in the City of Vallejo (unless of course you have a run-down slummy property.) We are talking about "out of Towners from other cities and counties such as Marin, Napa and Walnut Creek that purposefully purchase property to turn into section 8, which they do not maintain, as they do not care since they dont know anyone in Vallejo who will give them flack about their ill-kept properties. As an example, it is alledged that one of the worst looking section 8 properties (also crime ridden) is owned by a Napa police officer. Now, why would a Napa police officer want to own slummy property in Vallejo? "Napkins" look down on Vallejo, afterall, um, take advantage of the system in VAllejo, get the tax write off, and keep "those people" out of Napa, its a win-win. According to Little Old Lady, Napa County has been sued several times for now providing enough affordable housing. Thats why many of us feel that it would be fun to post pictures of property owned by slum-lords. If you maintain your property you have nothing to worry about, in fact you should be proud you provide good housing to Vallejo residents, we need more land-lords just like you!!!

Still Here   |March.25.2008 Overpaid, so if I'm understanding you, you say forget the retail, just put a bunch of food places and lots of alcohol downtown and it will begin to pick up? I believe that's what is down there now? Food and alcohol with very little else other than furniture and a couple of miscellaneous others. Is that going to revitalize downtown? That sounds like what some of the business people downtown are saying. Fifty years ago Vallejo was known for having the most bars per capita west of the Mississippi. The sailors all got off the ships,came downtown and ate, got drunk and picked up the floozies. So now your saying what will save downtown is people getting off the ship (ferries), eatting and drinking and the ladys of the night aren't far away. The key to a thriving downtown is in the planning. A good mix of retail and places to eat and some night life. If you take away the restrictions and allow anyone to open a bar, that's all you will have. Easy money. Places like Petaluma and Santa Monica did exactly that and had their downtown shut down by the police because there were too many bars and alcohol that all let out at the same time and turned the drunks loose onto the streets. If that's your idea of a thriving downtown and having a good time, your short changing yourself. It's like "if we can't have Macy's, hell give us Walmart."

Ann O. Nemus   |March.25.2008 So, some folks here now want VIB to publish the names of "absentee" landlords. How do define "absentee", please? I own a rental house in Vallejo; a single family home occupied by a family. Since I don't live there with them, does it make me an "absentee"? I don't know what the hysteria over rentals is all about. Some folks forget that most of them were also renters before they became homeowners. The issue is over good vs bad tenants, and/or good vs bad landlords.

Sonic Toad   |March.25.2008 :!: Another expose' tonight at council. Chief Parker, the Union Boss of Fire, and previous City Managers have allowed the IAFF employees to go without performance evalutations for 17 years! It blew me away when I heard it. Another great example of the corruption and mismanagement all across the board but especially landing in the laps of Parker, Henke, Intintoli etc etc.. Man what a bunch of screw-ups!! :!:

overpaid   |March.25.2008 There is no money for prosecuting landlords. There is no money to abate properties. You know where the money is going. I don't put my name down because I'm fairly confident I would be fired. As for redevelopment, vallejo went to court to defend itself about 15 years ago for siphoning off redevelopment funds and paying for other things...wonder what?...now, it's all 'legal'...the redevelopment agency has hired its own counsel who opines that temporary transfers of money are okay...as long as the city intends to pay it back. She's feeling the pressure to borrow more... But the larger picture is...where IS the improvement of redevelopment areas? I don't see any. As for downtown, there are people who have vested interests in maintaining the status quo. All the council and planning dept and even community do-gooders shout in chorus "retail retail". Wake up. retail is NOT going to happen there as planned. It's not working. So what our 'plan' got an award. If it ain't working fix it, dont just sit there crying. Shoot, waive all the conditional permit fees for the next 6 months, Bring in the RESTAURANTS and yes, cafes, and yes, BARS (much to the chagrin of the Anti Alcohol coalition who's stuck in the Prohibition and who aims to try to sink any business which threatens to bring any measure of fun. Also, someone please get rid of the Downtown Owners association, Central Core restoration who are so scared that someone will actually come and 'compete' with them that they are happy to sit around and get their meager businesses eek through another year as long as there isn't another 'deli' (which one can't find without a map) or another (I tried hard to think of a downtown business but really cant). As for the VHA, little is right on the money. I always wondered why the VHA manager left Walnut Creek to come work in Vallejo. But, I can't say it's the whole problem. It does feed into this "fear of crime,disaster, fires" that the political machine (run by the unions, who have bought our leaders, who employ us employees) has duped the whole voting public into believing. All I can say, those of you who are paying attention. Don't get side tracked: elect uncorrupted leaders, change the damn charter, and I would say one more thing: make the fire chief and the police chief elected officials. Why not?

Shay58   |March.25.2008 Whoops. That was me. Forgot to put my tag in the name field.

Anonymous   |March.25.2008 Spectator and Tax Man: I agree that a lot of people are not taking care of their properties. Lets face it, some people are crappy homeowners and crappy landlords. Believe it or not, all bad housing is not Section 8 and all Section 8 housing is not all bad. But there are laws in place that are supposed to deal with these violations. You have to make the system work. Make these over paid public servants earn their keep.

Spectatpr   |March.25.2008 Shay58: my comment below was to say exactly that...I periodically go on this site & read the discussion forums & I enjoy reading different points of view. I am a new resident of 2 years, as well as a home owner in Vallejo, so it's to my advantage to read up on real issues facing Vallejo. I believe there are very good arguments for discussion. Everything from the so-called FANTASTIC FOUR to certain below standard of living housing conditions. You probably read into the comment a bit to dip, as it does sound incomplete. There are a few properties in the steet I live where the landlord does not care what the property looks like, as long as they rent it out to just about anybody. Unfortunately I now have the task to raise constant awareness & arguments about the condition of these properties. Fortunately our neighborhood has just formed a new neighborhood association & we hope to arm ourselves against all who want to destroy the neighborhood. Okay now back to the regular discussions...

shay58   |March.25.2008 Tax Man: So...let's explore your logic a bit more. What would you suggest? Where would you have these people move? Oakland? Richmond. How about Napa? Which ones would have to move? Who would make these decisions? Would it be a city, county or federal agency reponsible for making this decision? who would pay for the ensuing lawsuits that would certainly be filed as a result of these moves? I am not belittling your concerns but I am put off by this scapegoating that is taking us away from the issues at hand. I am convinced that smart, not self serving leadership can bring revenues to Vallejo. Period.

Silas Barnabe   |March.25.2008 Keep it up VIB'ers! I just now after a long day found the time to skim the Times Herald and what their letters to the editor has turned into (except for Mr. Whittaker's letter) is a piece meal group of letters that are trying to explain (justify) the recent activities of the newly purchased council and Mr. Mayor extraordinaire Davis. I then logged on their website and it is becoming abundantly clear by the number of comments left, and the poorly orchestrated excuse for cheerleading letters that no one is reading the Times Herald. I wonder how many hits on the VIB website compared to timesheraldonline.com. I used to want to comment on each letter but these are so childish (from the definition of a band-aid to 15 minutes of fame) that no commentary is necessary.

Tax Man   |March.25.2008 By the way, I really like the idea of exposing the slum lords. I want to see someone take a video camera around and at the invitation of the section 8 renter, interview them and shoot the property in all its run down glory. This could become a regular feature on VIB TV.

Tax Man   |March.25.2008 Shay58, the argument Im making does depend on a leap of logic that equates poor with crime. Admittedly this is hard hearted and perhaps flawed in some significant ways but at some level I feel there is an association. I dont have any research or numbers at hand to support this claim but its not an unreasonable proposition is it? My point is not to bash the poor single working mother, far from it, I married one and her story of survival is heroic. In the larger context of pulling Vallejo out of its decades long ghetto image, however, this issue must be addressed IMHO. Im very happy that we have raised it and hashed through some of the surface details.

shay58   |March.25.2008 Spectator: And you said that to say what?

Spectator   |March.25.2008 I always enjoy so much local Vallejo news around at VIB...I really am interested in the topics below...absentee landlords, as there are plenty near the 94590.

Firebug   |March.25.2008 Little or is it little old lady, I do believe what you are sayomg, and I do believe that Davis and the bought four subscribe that they can convince vallejo to develop anything at any cost, but I truly think that those of us are rising to the ocassion of stopping and starving the old boys where they feed (new revenues I.E. development money). What you say also makes sense in the desperation to win the last election, actually getting away with blaming the council for lack of revenues and letting other agencies (like the Chamber of Corruption) off scott free coat about $80,000 per candidate.

On Fire   |March.25.2008 TaxMan, I'm not sure if you can really take simple numbers and equate the level of crime to the number of poor people in Vallejo. For one, there is a magnet for criminals within poor neighborhoods or complexes because there is less resistance from the residents. Those criminals prey upon the people who live in those areas and many times they come from other cities or areas. With one of the new rules that prohibit Section 8 residents that are felons or other people who are felons from living in those units. They also are not allowed to even be around the units and anyone caught selling drugs or otherwise breaking the law will cause the renter to loose their section 8 eligibility. But with that being said, we have some that turn a blind eye to the illegal activities surrounding them. But I would venture to say that the majority of the people who have to live in these "projects" want a better life and wish the problem people would go away. The other issue, which is the larger problem in my opinion, is the slum lords/absentee landlords that have bought a multitude of houses, and rent to anyone. I know as I lived in one of those neighborhoods for over 10 years. We tried to get a meth dealer out for three years. The landlord ignored our calls and letters. When he finally did evict the man, he found his entire house destroyed. All of a sudden, he wanted to talk to us to see if we knew anything! The guy had ripped out every electrical fixture and piping/wiring in the house. So sad, too bad! I think the real problem is not section 8, but absentee landlords. If there is a real rental review board that monitors the condition of the housing, tenants and complaints, it will go a long way to bring problems down. Section 8 is part of that same absentee landlord problem because there is less monitoring that occurs in individual houses that rent to section 8.

shay58   |March.25.2008 Tax Man: Thanks fo your post. Tell me why you think VHA may play a role in this high voucher, high crime scenario? I certainly see how public safety unions might use these stats to keep their salaries artificially high. Who knows, it may be a combination of all these factors (plus a few more). Research of who owns what and where might reveal some interesting information.

Little   |March.25.2008 Look at the big picture. The game is played with numerous sacrificial pawns that take the attention away from the powerful players and the real beneficiaries. Poor people are required. If you look at the circular system, you need the concentration of poverty to fester into blight which is characterized by substandard and vacant buildings to get to Redevelopment where the real money is. Redevelopment benefits the attorneys, infrastructure contractors and big, favored developers and landowners. When you have that festering, then you can use fear to increase costs (public safety unions) to the point that you can induce the general populace to believe that impediments (like the law) need to be circumvented so we can have the tax income so that we will be safe. Now that we are nearing bankrupcy, there will be more and more calls for "development" at any cost because we need a Bond rating to float more Redevelopment Bonds. All you have to do is look at the track record of Redevelopment. As you all will notice from the current state of the downtown, 24 blocks of the historic downtown was leveled in the late 60's; the hills were bulldozed into the river as fill; the roads, parking lots and 100's of units of subsidized housing Projects were built...but the downtown that was lively before Redevelopment never came back. It did work as planned though, the favored few got rich. So let's do it again on Mare Island, the gullible populace is sure to go for the same ruse again. If you want to know the names, check out who was in the room when the votes for Gary "disappeared". Note that they worked for the City of Vallejo Redevelopment Agency and one was Mayor for a long time including back when we welcomed Marine World. I seem to remember that was supposed to make Vallejo rich.

Firebug   |March.25.2008 Shay, Not having a conduit to or from our leadership leaves us with no choice but to look under rocks for infromation that should be forthcoming from our city and its respective commisions. Not having such a conduit is the reason this wonderful site exists, why we are here and why a growing number of vallejoans are starting to question the status quo. The VTH the old mouth piece and spinmeister for the good ole boys is no longer a trusted conduit. This is why I reject that we are a tiny fringe minority, and that through future elections we will take back our city by not being poisened by the old poluted city information conduit structure.

Shay58   |March.25.2008 Firebug: That last posting was mine.

Anonymous   |March.25.2008 Firebug: You're right. I wouldn't be surprised in the least to learn that many of the people who want to keep the status quo, status quo, own some of Vallejo's Section 8 housing. And that in itself doesn't make them bad people. However, I would question the integrity of anyone who owns this housing, lives outside our city, and then points to us and our current problems with contempt. I agree that while Vallejo seems to have more than its share of low income housing (and that may or may not be true, research could uncover that) it is a reflection of the economy.

Tax Man   |March.25.2008 On Fire, shay58, Im glad you commented on the affordable housing issue because I believe this is an important subject. Let me push back a little on your responses. If we look at Vallejo and the surrounding cites from the 10,000 ft. level, what we see is an example of poor community planning. That is, Vallejo is a neighborhood within this larger community that is being loaded up with the poor. Im not sure what the reasons are exactly but it really doesnt matter. Any surrounding community that is not creating their fair share of affordable housing is at fault here. Its been popular to use Fairfield as a comparable city for the discussions on fire contracts so lets look at the 2006 crime stats for Fairfield and Vallejo coming from: http://www.idcide.com/citydata/ca/vallejo.htm If we total up the violent crimes for both Vallejo and Fairfield in 2006 we get: Vallejo = 1289 Fairfield = 645 Now taking the housing voucher numbers provided our little old lady we have: Vallejo = 4019 Fairfield = 851 Im willing to consider any explanation for the disparity in the crime stats between the two cities but my argument is the hyper successful VHA is driving the crime numbers higher in Vallejo and creating the negative factors that have been mentioned before.

Firebug   |March.25.2008 Thanks Katy then it was you that mentioned this perhaps I am recalling you pulled a card and spoke to the issue. I agree I don't want this to seem like homeowners that rent are inherently bad, but I think listening to neighbors is always positive to the community. Aside from the FAUX commisions if the City has a real rental board that acted as a mediator between owners renters and the rest of the community would really help with Vallejo's image (if that where the real intention of the fab five).

Katy Miessner   |March.25.2008 Hey Firebug- Several years ago I searched around for examples of other cities that have programs dealing with absentee landlords, and St Louis does post names. Unfortunately,I believe it's illegal for the State (or counties) to list landlord names...but if you have an address, you can email the assessor and their office will send you the owner's name. So its not clear if the City could either. Not sure about news web sites though. I wonder, if VIB could post names of absentee landlords? Not sure if its governmental sites that can't list or if its against the law? I think we would see many "fine upstanding members of the community" if we did! For instance, someone I know complained of a drug-house apt building on her street owned by a local person and you'd be surprised to learn their identity. And there was a shooting in a quiet VJO neighborhood not that long ago owned by a fairly prominent local person. I am not saying that even the best landlords that screen well sometimes get difficult tenants--but we seem to have a plethora of problem landlords.

Firebug   |March.25.2008 I seem to recall a few years back Stepanie Gomes mentioned in one of her first Council meetings something about posting the owners and contact information of the cities website in an effort to help neighbors deal with problem tenants. This might mitigate some of the issues mentioned.

On Fire   |March.25.2008 I totally agree Shay58. It seems that when the economy takes a down turn, people want to blame the powerless as they make easy targets. If you build it, they will come. The city is full of ways to milk the cash cow. The Section 8 voucher list has had a waiting list that at times went over two years to even look at. So there has been no flood of vouchers that has drawn poor people to Vallejo. There has been a tremendous amount of greedy absentee landlords and slum lords that sit on Vallejo Realtor Boards and part of the good old boys at Chamber. Whenever the city tried to have a review board to monitor these types and make them accountable for substandard housing and bad tenants, the Board of Realtors shut it down, protecting their own. Also to generalize and maginalize people simply because they don't have a lot of income is not a good policy either. Not all poor people are bad. Plenty of rich people are bad because they prey upon the poor. So let's keep this in perspective and not generalize about the poor.

shay58   |March.25.2008 Tax Man: With all due respect, Vallejo's large number of low-income housing has absolutely nothing to do with attracting "high end" businesses to our area. In the 1940s (and early 1950s) Vallejo, due in part to Mare Island, had the largest number of federally subsidized housing projects west of the Mississippi. And guess what? We had loads of businesses here. Levees, Crowley's, Sears, J. C. Penney's, House of Paris, etc. We had a booming downtown. Our problem in recent years hasn't been poor people. Low income people are everywhere and in every municipality, but smart city leaders don't use them as an excuse for letting a city die. Our problem has been bad, self-serving leadership. Please don't fall victim to blaming one politically powerless group for Vallejo's problems. This is a shared mess.

NBR   |March.25.2008 "You never answered the fundamental question (1) about how many fireman are needed at a structural fire and (2) how many over the course of a year require more than one engine company." They are good questions. I asked the first and was ridiculed by anonymous "So the question is: How many posts does it take to realize that nbr = Nothing But Redundancy?" The second question (How many over the course.....) is also worth knowing. Maybe you'll have better luck than I "I would rather have more ambulances..." I think the # of ambulances is a contract issue (there it is again .... the "C" word) with the county or maybe the city? Before reducing down the Engine Cos., and rewriting the ambulance contract it would be a good idea to know what the recommended FD response is required for a family residence fire. And do you want all your assets tied up at one incident? Is that a consideration?

Robert Schussel   |March.25.2008 1)I have heard rumours for years that Vallejo was controlled/run by about 10 to 12 individuals.Most of the time these individuals keep a low profile.Is that true and if so who are they? 2) If certain indivuals are benefiting from section 8 and "affordable housing" are they the same individuals in question 1 or are they another but separate self serving group? Inquiring minds want to know.

Obys neighbor   |March.25.2008 NBR You have been reading too much propoganda from Mr Henke.If you aren't are the Fire payroll already I might suggest applying for their public information officier position. I would rather have more ambulances with two paramedics rather than having to depend on a fire truck to help out.Not only would the cost be less but the response time would improve. You never answered the fundamental question about how many fireman are needed at a structural fire and how many over the course of a year require more than one engine company.

Little   |March.25.2008 Craig Whittom defends Section 8 as a way to improve the housing stock. So that means that a large amount of substandard housing exists below the Section 8 stock. At least Section 8 housing is inspected occasionally. As defined by California Health and Safety Code (H&SC), Section 17920.3, a substandard building is any building or portion thereof in which certain conditions exist to the extent that it endangers the health and safety of its occupants or the public. It is a long laundry list. If the City of Vallejo had any political will, they would be vigorously "red-tagging" the substandard housing and running the slumlords out of Vallejo. But many of them work for the City or have powerful friends. So Craig views Section 8 as a step up. A better alternative would be aggressive Code Enforcement of the California Health and Safety Code...it is the law. But like the Safety Unions, VHA has a seductive story to tell about helping those in need (and helping themselves in the process). They make it seem that anyone who would oppose all that Section 8 housing is hard-hearted.

Firebug   |March.25.2008 Since getting hammered on any kind of hypothesis brought forward at Vallejonews.com NBR has taken to asking questions when he already knows the answers then shoots rubber bands when an unaware poster puts forth an answer that doesn't match NBR's dubious source (I rarely get him to post a link directly to his information). And yes NBR I said "him" everyone here knows or at least has a good idea who you are.

Tax Man   |March.25.2008 MISSMARVELOUS, I couldnt agree more. This VHA issue is a big piece of the problem here in Vallejo in my opinion. I believe this over weighting of low income housing is one of the drivers of higher safety costs, not to mention a very big turnoff for high end business, negative impact on schools, etc. I would like to follow up on this and ask for the W2s of the people working in that department. Im wondering if there is another six figure club down there. Can someone share with us how you go about getting information like this? I know this may sound like a stupid question but I have very little if any experience interacting with government agencies. Is it best to submit a formal FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) form to them? If so should we mail it to them snail mail or is email only just as good. Any other tricks of the trade appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Anonymous   |March.25.2008 nbr says: How many Engines does Fairfield respond to a structural fire? and, With that said ...... How many firefighters (reserve or not) do we need at a structural fire? and, How many fireman do we need at a structural fire? So the question is: How many posts does it take to realize that nbr = Nothing But Redundancy? You are boring nbr, and offer nothing to the conversations except blathering with no purpose. You really should go play with people who operate at your level at the times horrid. No really! You are like the kid sister that would follow you around repeating everything you say.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.25.2008 For several years I have been heard that the real forces running the City of Vallejo were "out of towners." I never really understood what that meant, as so many people feel the need to "talk in code" for fear that they may have a rock thrown through their window, or their house burnt down. If you want the attention of the masses, speak "FRANKLY!" VIB has allowed many people that would be in fear of retrobution to "tell it like it is." Apparently Vallejo has been run by the politics of Fire and Police unions for a while now( out of towners.) The Vallejo Housing Authority (out of towners) has been having a "capital" time filling the needs of the entire East Bay and North Bay by encouraging more and more proverty stricken souls to move to Vallejo and receive one of over 4100 section 8 vouchers available. It's a win-win, the VHA gets an administrative fee (that's called a "spiff" or "bonus" where I work folks) and other communities dont have to worry about what to do with "poor people." Its been made very clear by "Little Old Lady" that section 8 Projects are not built anymore (except in Vallejo) we need to pay attention as to what is going on with VHA and protest any such construction project. VHA is currently looking at several building to buy, including the Redwood Gardens across the street from the new Lucky's shopping center on Redwood and Tuolumne. The owner of the apartment structure nicely maintains his units. No need to convert it to a section 8 Project. Council woman Gomes was correct when at a council meeting 6 months ago she suggested that VHA take a run down building that already exists and rehab it for a mix of standard and affordable housing. VHA was not interested (no spiffs there folks.) The manager of the VHA said to the affect, how would that help, we wouldnt gain any extra housing, just spend money on rehab of a building... If you want to see how Redeveloment funds can be spent in a positive way, visit the city of San Leandro. Over the past 10 years, they have build several very attractive senior centers, rebuilt all their streets, sidewalks, landscaped everywhere and added art and attractive lighting.They have a nice shopping distict, and many places to eat. Their economic and social make up is very similar to that of Vallejo. The San Leandro Housing Authority works with the city of San Leandro to get their dollars to strech and work along side the funding of the city. In our city, the VAllejo Housing Authority is running their own show at the expense of the citizens of Vallejo.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 Some more interesting info from Fairfield MOU for the ff.'s. Now keep in mind this is the same union that operates here in Vallejo. So Fairfield apparently knows how to run a tight ship and doesn't have their employees going on abalone runs, planning charity events, or sleeping of an alcohol imbibed meeting or social event! 43. Union Business Leave: A. Two (2) employees who are members of the Union Negotiating Committee shall be granted leave from duty with full pay for :!: (all meetings between the City and the Union, for the purpose of negotiating the terms of an agreement when such meetings take place at a time during which such Employees are to be on duty.) :!: This number may be increased on approval of the Employee Relations Officer. B. Unlimited shift trades shall be authorized for officers of the Union to participate in official Union business if the trade is authorized by the Shift Trade procedure.

NBR   |March.24.2008 How many Engines does Fairfield respond to a structural fire?

NBR   |March.24.2008 "Then you have Fairfield that has another alternative structure that includes reserve ff.'s..." With that said ...... How many firefighters (reserve or not) do we need at a structural fire?

On Fire   |March.24.2008 So again nbr, so quick to argue and not paying attention to the content....... At the beginning of the post it stated: There was an interesting conversation in response to the article in the Mutual Aid - A Fire Chief Blog link from earlier this month. The article was titled A Different Perspective under News. Or of course you can call Mr. Benne and I'm sure he would tell you.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 Then you have Fairfield that has another alternative structure that includes reserve ff.'s for their fire dept. which would work for Vallejo. So te options are endless. The tired line about "being the most highly trained" that warrents higher salaries or having to stick with minimum staffing that ensures safety of the ff.'s or nbr's required third person that needs to make calls is just one big snow job. Other city's have a variety of alternative dept. structures that work very well for them. Out problem is that the union has brainwashed people into thinking their way is the only way. Currently, the Fairfield Fire Department provides fire and life safety services from five fire stations located throughout our community. Each station is staffed with a minimum of three full time career firefighters. The full time career firefighters are supported by reserve firefighters as needed to meet service demands. Reserve firefighters are assigned to a shift and fill the fourth seat on the on-duty engines. The Central Fire Station, located at 1633 Union, houses our reserve apparatus used in support emergency operations. Our reserve firefighters come from all walks of life. Many are new residents looking for a way to become involved in their community. Some are longtime area residents who have been involved in the community for years! Others are men and women looking for a career in the fire services. You may be surprised to learn that these reserve firefighters are management analysts, students, real estate agents, paramedics, homemakers, business managers, truck drivers, computer programmers, and almost any other profession you can think of. All play an important role in delivering emergency services to the citizens of our community. Reserve firefighters are assigned to a shift and are trained and mentored by full time career firefighters. When not in an "on duty" status, they respond to the central fire station to support emergency operations.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 Then you have the EMS and paramedics in New York."The FDNY�s 3,000 Paramedics and EMTs make up the largest, most highly trained emergency medical service in the world" So if they are the "most highly trained", one would have to ask why they make so much less than our safety employees. Of course they EMT operate out of their own stations and don't require a fire truck to follow them to the call and for some odd reason, they don't need the third person to talk to dispatch or call the hospital or whatever else NBR states is vital to the operation. Now does New York city offer less than optimal CPR service? Is New York's response time slower? Seems that that would be a NO. There are plenty of other options available to Vallejo to restructure the dept.'s so that we don't have to have EMTs that have to be trained to fight fires or have fire fighters ride to a medical call. Just takes the vision to put another plan into place. EMT Salary Information* EMT Salary: Base Starting Salary $27,295 After 1 Year $28,840 After 2 Years $29,355 After 3 Years $33,990 After 5 Years $39,179 Paramedic Salary Information* Paramedic Salary: Base Starting Salary $37,346 After 1 Year $41,139 After 2 Years $42,818 After 3 Years $47,233 After 5 Years $50,501

Anonymous   |March.24.2008 Interesting statistics from New York City. Everyone knows how expensive it is to live in New York, yet check out the comparision in salaries. Firefighter Salary: BASE FRINGE* TOTAL STARTING SALARY $36,400 $4,090 $40,490 AFTER 1 YEAR $38,194 $6,153 $44,347 AFTER 2 YEARS $41,600 $6,702 $48,302 AFTER 3 YEARS $45,760 $7,372 $53,132 AFTER 4 YEARS $50,440 $8,126 $58,566 AFTER 5 YEARS $68,475 $18,043 $86,518 Promotion Opportunities: Lieutenant $84,421 $35,250 $119,671 Captain $96,903 $43,270 $140,173 Battalion Chief $126,178 $19,467 $145,645

NBR   |March.24.2008 So with that answered??? Osbys neighbor: "Don't we really need paramedics a lot more than fireman who deal with few structural fires." How many fireman do we need at a structural fire?

NBR   |March.24.2008 "How many structural firemen do we need at a medical call?" To do basic CPR the American Heart Association suggests 2 persons (no mention they be required to be proficient in structural fire fighting). However, with two individuals performing CPR you need a third member to maintain communication with the hospital base and administer drugs if they are a paramedic. An Engine Co. has 3 persons certified in CPR (one of which is a paramedic). If you (or the community in general) prefer less than optimal CPR service, fewer individuals should respond on the Engine. If you prefer overall slower response times Engine Co.'s should not respond. Do not expect the healthcare professionals (FF's and Ambulance personnel) to advocate slower response or less than optimal care. Just as you would not expect experts in the technology field to want to work with 500 mhz speed in todays computers. Its not efficient.

John K   |March.24.2008 For a medical call they roll an engine company. How many structural firemen do we need at a medical call?

NBR   |March.24.2008 Osbys neighbor: "Don't we really need paramedics a lot more than fireman who deal with few structural fires." How many fireman do we need at a structural fire?

NBR   |March.24.2008 "Again so quick to argue but not paying attention to the content." Where's the article? All you posted was: Mr. Chubbs post and Mr. Benne's post

RdP   |March.24.2008 Re. Section 8 housing...there was a list on the city's website. I checked it a couple of years ago to see if the house next door was on it and it was. I used the address to check Zabasearch.com and found the owner (had problems and wrote to him for assistance) via recorded deed of trust. I don't think the list on the website contained the homeowner's name.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 osby's neighbor, the question regarding the chamber of commerce is a good one. They and the Board of Realtor have put out a lot of money to fund council candidates. Yet they bring no real revenues into Vallejo. They also have the council members ears when they want something. I think the question should be put to them as to the validation of a 4 star rating. They apparently do very good things for their members, but there is little to show for the statement made by Mr. Wells: "The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has more than 600 members, representing almost 12,000 employees, and works to strengthen Vallejo's economy and improve the quality of life for the entire community, he added." The business people, many of which don't live in Vallejo, apparently do very well for themselves for the most part, but what do they actually contribute to the "quality of life" for the rest of the citizens? As Mrs. Schivley stated, they should be bringing new businesses and increasing the revenues, particularly downtown. Why are they not involved with downtown or Mare Island? Or are they merely interested in padding their pockets? And what part does IAFF play in the chamber? Even though the ff/'s tout being so highly trained, they certainly don't bring in any revenues or new businesses because of their expertise. If they are rated so highly, why then do they need three other chambers for this city? (Black Chamber, Hispanic Chamber and Philippino Chamber) They should all be of one mind and working together yet they are segmented for chamber goals. What's up with that?

Little   |March.24.2008 Tax Man... Housing units, not owned by non-profits, that use the Housing Choice vouchers still pay property taxes. All the rest of us pay for part of the vouchers through our Federal taxes. But Choice vouchers are less dependable than the Project vouchers which are tied in for 55 years. If the housing market allows, owners of rentals can decide not to take Section 8 Choice vouchers. But scuzzy absentee owners love the vouchers because they can sit back and wait for the money to arrive. But because we don't want to marginalize Section 8 families, they are not identified and the neighborhood gets to deal with any problems through the normal channels...that is we can call overloaded Code Enforcement. Section 8 is a gold mine. If you have a voucher, you can find a rental at www.gosection8.com

Osbys Neighbor   |March.24.2008 Anonymous Please tell me what positive things the Chamber of Commerce has done other then support the gang of 4 in the City Council ,support give backs for Developers and Auto Dealers, and push for more fast food establishments in Vallejo. NBR Aren't staffing levels recommended and NOT mandatory--how many other communities have the same Mandatory staffing levels that Vallejo does. Don't we really need paramedics a lot more than fireman who deal with few structural fires.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 NBR, apparently you have misread the article. This was his response to Mr. Benne's comments. The second post which starts with: continued, is the conclusion to Chief Chubbs' comments, not mine. Again so quick to argue but not paying attention to the content.

Tax man   |March.24.2008 Ah Little, you are a gold mine of information. So I get the part about a non profit purchasing living units and therefore removing those units from the property tax roles. Are there any other scenarios where we loose the property tax on a unit? When the vouchers are used does that affect the tax. How about when we convert a standard rental unit over to section 8, do we loose property tax on that?

NBR   |March.24.2008 "We do not by virtue either or our status as public employees or our expertise as firefighters earn the right to tell the community what it deserves much less what it must or must not accept in the way of service." I think they're telling Mr. Chubb and the community what it takes in manpower to be an effective department, not as you say 'what is deserves or must accept'. Artist when contracted for a project (theatrical, paintings, statuary) insist on minimum standards (if they have any integrity). The military would do the same thing, lobby/fight for the minimum staffing and equipment to be an effective fighting force. The police that protect us should have meaningful input into what 'tools' (manpower and/or equipment) are required to complete their job. Those groups are the professionals that know what it takes to get the job done. If you and Mr. Chubb think that the fire department should be treated differently than other experts that have input into the successful completion of the assigned tasks, then you must both think that the expert opinions in any field are secondary to the amateur. However, if a vote, no mater how slight the approval, shows that the 'community' wishes to have less than what the experts suggest or even fight/lobby for, then the community should get the service level it has shown by a democratic process it wants to have.

Little   |March.24.2008 In the great world of bureaucracies, "Affordable Housing" is code for "Subsidized Housing" and it works at the "extremely low income" level..people with minus disposable income. Vallejo is a net importer of Section 8 Choice vouchers...that means other communities send their desperately poor people here to find housing. My planner friends tell me that "nobody does Section 8 Projects anymore!!! They just don't work". But HUD needs to send the money somewhere for "affordable housing" or they won't get the same amount next year from Washington and the political power base in Vallejo really wants it. So Vallejo gets the Sereno Village Project and pushes for more and more. Redevelopment requires a percentage for "affordable housing" so that is why Vallejo has $3 million (plus or minus) set aside for another "Project". HUD has policies against this kind of abuse but it is a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. "Projects", like the ones surrounding the downtown, are tied in for 55 years. Marina Towers was recently purchased by a housing non-profit and the recent seismic upgrade extends the term for another 55 years. Since non-profits don't pay property taxes, that means all the rest of us will be paying for the paramedics. Other communities have systems in place, like notifying absentee landlords every time emergency services are called to their property or charging the owners for the costs. But Vallejo doesn't do that because we don't have enough staff in the right places or the political will. If you think hiring consultants to update the General Plan will work, you have not been paying attention. Staff hires the consultants and defines the outcomes here. That's why we got flawed plans for the Waterfront, Weston and Mare Island that were only modified when they were challenged by incredibly intelligent and community-minded citizens. Bless them! But "affordable housing" sounds like a noble thing so the same good citizens don't see the big picture. Concentrations of social problems and poverty create a downward economic spiral that shifts more and more of the costs to an ever declining working class. Ultimately, the system fails...like it has in Vallejo.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 An interesting perspective coming from a Fire Chief. It goes far to help restore the respectabilty for fire fighters, management in particular. Not our henkettes, but to those who undertand the "bigger picture". Thank You Chief Chubbs.

Anonymous   |March.24.2008 Vallejo Group Earns 4-Star Chamber Accreditation By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN/Times-Herald staff writer Article Launched: 03/12/2008 http://solanosgotit.blogspot.com/2008/03/ vallejo-group-earns-4-star-chamber The United States Chamber of Commerce on Monday named the Vallejo chamber one of only 10 in California to receive a 4-Star Accreditation. The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce was recognized for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community, said Rick Wells, Vallejo chamber president and CEO. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in its operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology, Wells said. The required extensive self-review can take up to six months, he said. "We are extremely proud," Wells said. "This designation is a tribute to our outstanding staff team, and to the commitment and dedication of our volunteer leadership to build an effective and productive organization." The Vallejo chamber is one of only four Northern California chambers to ever receive the U.S. Chamber's 4-Star rating, Wells said The Vallejo Chamber of Commerce has more than 600 members, representing almost 12,000 employees, and works to strengthen Vallejo's economy and improve the quality of life for the entire community, he added.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 Continued: My read on the situation suggests that Vallejo residents' interests have taken a back seat to those of employees, many of whom do not share the burden of paying for the services they deliver. You seem to be one of the few exceptions in this community. We do not by virtue either or our status as public employees or our expertise as firefighters earn the right to tell the community what it deserves much less what it must or must not accept in the way of service. I stand by my observation that this situation needs to change, and fire service leaders must prepare for that change by accepting responsibility for accommodating alternate ways of determining service levels and delivering services to their communities.

On Fire   |March.24.2008 There was an interesting conversation in response to the article in the Mutual Aid - A Fire Chief Blog link from earlier this month: Dick Benne: March 12th, 2008 @ 1:53 am Mark, I think there is more to the story than the �whopping� single example of a retirement buy-out salary of $359,000. FF hourly rates of $35 (+/-) is a median hourly rate for Bay Area jobs. OT is driven by minimum staffing requirements that fall line with NFPA standards. The Cities own contracted study (Citygate) showed that the current staffing levels were described as �adequate�. Additionally, your comment describing �rising overtime claims to boost pensions� is completely inaccurate. Overtime is not part of any PERS formula, which determines pensions. Mark Chubb: March 12th, 2008 @ 3:44 pm Dick I am glad to see a Vallejo firefighter joining this discussion, especially one who also seems to live in the community. Your input might help clarify a few things. For starters, how does someone earn more than $359,000 in a single year working in the fire service? How much of that is overtime? (Thanks for clarifying the CalPERS rules governing overtime. I stand corrected, but still marvel at the generous benefits enjoyed by Vallejo firefighters compared with your peers in so many other American communities. From what I can tell, it still seems likely that the top-paid Vallejo firefighter will have earned a pension above the median salary of his former colleagues. Is this true?) Very few public safety employees in Vallejo seem to make less than $100,000 per year. If this is �normal� in the Bay Area, why doesn�t the Vallejo contract include neighboring cities like Benicia and Fairfield in its salary benchmark calculations? Justifying staffing levels and overtime claims by citing NFPA 1710 only serves to underscore my concerns about the undemocratic and practically immoral situation giving rise to current fiscal crisis in Vallejo. If the fire service systematically skews the rules of the game to suit the results favored by its members, are communities obliged to accept these terms? Studies suggesting �adequate� staffing beg the question, �Just what level of service does the community require from its fire department?� How much did IAFF Local 1186�s political action committee expend on the campaigns to elect the city councillors who commissioned this study? Getting to the bottom of what constitutes a reasonable level of fire service raises a central and important question, �How do we know how effective any fire department is?� Few communities attempt to answer these questions, and those that do so rarely approach the problem with any degree of rigor. Consequently, not one published, peer-reviewed, empirical study exists to demonstrate that staffing levels influence the quality of fire outcomes in terms of fire losses. Studies showing a relationship between response time and outcome illustrate just how dependent the results are on factors beyond the control of any fire department. After a community achieves a minimum threshold response capability, seconds� difference in response times make very little measurable difference in aggregate. Sure, firefighters can make a difference in this fire or that fire, but the benefits accrue not to communities as a whole but to individuals. When asked to choose, citizens in a democratic society have a right say �no� to requests to pay for services that do not benefit them or the community as a whole. Has anyone ever asked the citizens of Vallejo to consider the costs and benefits of paying for a system that is bound to bankrupt their community? Honest efforts to secure the buy-in of local communities require that people have all the information necessary to make an reasoned choice. My read on the situation suggests that Vallejo residents� interests have taken a back seat to those of employees, many of whom do not share the burden of paying for the services they deliver. You seem to be one of the few exceptions in this community. We do not by virtue either or our status as public employees or our expertise as firefighters earn the right to tell the community what it deserves much less what it must or must not accept in the way of service. I stand by my observation that this situation needs to change, and fire service leaders must prepare for that change by accepting responsibility for accommodating alternate ways of determining service levels and delivering services to their communities.

Spectator   |March.24.2008 Very good idea from Mass Media! VIB is already set-up for VIB TV. I'm learning much myself on VIB issues & information,but I do have to confess...I take several days rest from reading,as there's a lot of information to absorb.

Mass Media   |March.24.2008 The thing we should to do now is take all of this information that has been collected and do some kind of video expose. If these behind the curtain details of Vallejo politics are laid out in a series of mini documentaries, the public at large will begin to grasp just what has gone on here. Then we can move forward with an informed electorate.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.24.2008 Now that "Little Old Lady" has enlightend us all to how the Vallejo Housing Authority operates and how low income housing/project can earn Redevelopment funds (if you own property in a blighted area, that area will be eligible for redevelopment funds)I understand why some of the owners of buildings downtown do not want to see it become the mecca of shopping. No more blight, no more redevelopment funds! I always thought it was odd that the excuse of "there wont be enough parking" and "the project should start a few blocks over" by certain property oweners was odd, now I understand. No more Moo-la if the Triad project starts up. This weekend was great, we ate at China Wok and took in a movie at the Empress. There were cars everywhere, but still plenty of parking. It was good to see Vallejoens out and about in the town down. As Mark Garmen would say, "Viva Vallejo."

Silas Barnabe   |March.23.2008 NBR's brain is old news I have read posts dating back 4 years on vallejonews.com. Same tired old tactic as shown by saying WaR's assertion that 80 percent of the general fund pays for safety services isn't correct to NBR when it is (in NBR's brain) only 78 percent. In NBR's brain if one makes an assertion that during the UBL scandal firefighters BBQ'ed steak NBR would counter that the assertion is incorrect because it was tri-tip not steak.

Confused   |March.23.2008 NBR, didn't you go to elementary school, your math really sucks. Just a rough calculation has last years salaries at 17.5 million for fire, and assuming 20 percent left, that would be 3.5 million, except with minimum staffing levels, that wouldn't really be the true savings. Of the 99 fire employees I counted, only 76 made more than 150K, 86 made more than 140K, and 93 made more than 130K. The rest must have been new hires. 2 even made less than 100K, but over 90. If you are fire and below that level, I am sorry I missed you, you would have been in the sea of non-safety employees! Wow 6%, need to add a 2 before the 6, then we just may start being fiscally responsible. The spreadsheets are there for anyone to read, I wouldn't call it fantasy. I thought you became a fireman or policeman to help and to serve, not become rich. This isn't a middle class income. Imagine if we payed our soldiers like this, of course, that would be crazy

On Fire   |March.23.2008 And there you have it. A fleeting glimpse into the mindset of nbr. There apparently isn"t any solution that you can offer other than: "Pay the contracts and give the safety employees whatever they want, stay stuck in the past, put more pollutants and cancer causing industry back on Mare Island." (Hey they already have enough that some areas will remain "hot" for all of our lifetimes.) "Go back to serving a cup of "joe" because a latte is too much change for me to handle. Who needs art! We have a view the rusting steel cranes and old brick buildings as long as they have heavy industry going on inside who needs anything else to look at! Put up all the bigbox stores this city can handle. We need those non-union minimum wages jobs with no real benefits and we like cheap". "I like it and Who cares if the grass in the parks dies, who needs them. Who cares about those people who can't afford to take the bus to their jobs, not my problem! Let's just keep Vallejo in the same way as it has been cause I have an adjustment disorder and can't take change or people who think differently from me or have an ability for critical thinking or have a new vision of what Vallejo can be." "If you just bring in whatever any company that has been run out of other towns we'll take them without any questions or oversight for the environment and be darned happy cause that means we can pay them safety employees even more". Thank you for sharing nbr. We get it now and will not feel compelled to become ensharled into your perpetual discordance.

NBR   |March.23.2008 I don't think you can find a solutions until you know exactly what you are trying to solve. I am I suppose to find a solution to WaR's complaint that 80% of "EVERY" $ goes to public safety, when I am not sure that his complaint is accurate. Am I suppose to find a solution to Silas's allegation that every tax $$ designed to exclusively enhance the general fund will have 90 cents, for every dollar, going to salaries and benefits? It is a waste of time to offer solutions to problems that are either fantasy or bull****. My solution would be to make sure the alleged identified problems are real. So far PD and FD have given up 6% ($2.5 million +/- ?) of their salary and the FD has reduced its staff (and therefore its salary) by 20+% which probably equals another $2million. While those departments are cutting staff and salary (=$4.5 million +/-) you guys are sitting around trying to validate reasons to STOP any new revenues. My solution is quit standing in the way of Waterfront Development and at least let an EIR be developed for proposals, popular or not (LNG), instead of bulldogging into the ground anything that doesn't look like a Trader Joes's or free Public Art.

On Fire   |March.23.2008 NBR, again do you have any solutions? Your posts are always to argue the posted opinions and facts yet I've yet to see your facts to substantiate anything for your position. So how much do you figure goes into the general fund and what are you basing it on? What sources are you using? Or are you only good for an arguement?

On Fire   |March.23.2008 I gotz, I don't believe the Kamphousin owns Casa de Vallejo. And as far as HUD employees, you can contact the City for that information through the freedom of information act.

I Gotz to Know   |March.23.2008 I gotz to know?.Does Buck "h.u.d." Kamphousing's Casa De Vallejo pay property tax.

Just Asking   |March.23.2008 V.I.B. has posted salaries of Police and Fire ,Lets see a list of H.U.D. of Vallejo administrators,staff & the usual bottom feeders!

WAZ UP WIT THAT   |March.23.2008 To every sanctimonious left winger, will you continue to vote for the party that brought you "The Great Society" are you happy now??? As the land -lords suckle off your bureaucrat's social programs, how has that advanced Vallejo,Detroit or Washington D.C.? Slogan: Vallejo, helping others not help themselves!

shay58   |March.23.2008 On Fire: I agree. Many of our so called "problem" neighborhoods (not my words) have been used to bring in federal dollars, only for those dollars to be diverted to other more "pressing needs." I'm going to differ with you on one point. These are not always silent communities. They are often ignored communities and can easily be written off and marginalized by lumping them into one big bag and referring to them as "dangerous," "blighted," and my all time favorite, "crem-ridden" I guess its easy to ignore what you dont understand.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.23.2008 So, "Little Old Lady" what your saying is, that the more distrssed and run down VAllejo becomes, the more the Vallejo Housing Authority can profit? Its not in their best interest if VAllejo were to get it's "swank" back and compete with it's up valley neighbors such as Napa, or East ward neighbors of Fairfield and Vacaville? After all the feeling is (from other neighboring cites) keep the crime and Section 8 in one city, at least you will know where it's at... In fact, buy section 8 rentals in Vallejo and keep it out of your town!

NBR   |March.23.2008 Silas: "...but I will continue to assert that any tax $$ designed to exclusively enhance the general fund will have 90 cents for every dollar going to salaries and benefits. Care to challenge that?" Sure. Its your opinion, your entitled to it and anybody that believes that to be true is as wrong as you are.

On Fire   |March.23.2008 My bad, meant to address that last post to Shay58, as that was my post. Sorry for confusion.

Shay58   |March.23.2008 So true. Because the people in those neighborhoods are known to be "silent" both politically and in their suffering. I think a study of the redevelopment history would be interesting to undertake. Many of the citizens that are now involved and interested in the future of Vallejo may not know the history and it's negative impact to our fiscal fiasco. Maybe a citizen's group could take this on and report back to council with recommendations? A must in that study would be the 'giveaways' this city has so freely dispersed to developers like Mandrich and our good old boy auto salesman. One other important piece of this problem is the Planning Commission and the people that fill those seats. We now have pretty good representation on that Commission but in the past those seats were filled with chamber of commerce types that helped perpetuate the giveaways and back room deals. More people are needed to attend and understand the actions that are coming before that Commission.

On Fire   |March.23.2008 Then Little Old Lady, would it not be vital that as part of the "long term solutions" that this dirty old secret be addressed? Shouldn't the tax payers now demand that as part of this "long term solution planning", that the revision/updating of the General Plan be addressed and be implimented so that the city has a chance to truely begin the next steps to rise from it's ashes? To deal with the elimination of the fantasy redevelopment scams and demand results from the current designated areas? With the exception of a couple of our Council members, I have little faith that the others even have an knowledge of how or the will to begin this process. So it would fall to the hands of the citizens to demand this of our "new way of thinking", "innovative", "change of attitude" Council. One project that the city would certainly require the hiring of consultants with the expertise on General Plans. They have an excellent grant writer on the payroll now that can be utilized to search for grants. It would seem this would be looked at in a favorable light by the bankruptcy courts as a measure of the City's desire to right itself. If we truly are looking to have this city rejuvinated and rise from it's ashes.

Shay58   |March.23.2008 On Fire: I am familiar with North Vallejo, especially the old Flosden Acres area. In the late 60s, early 70s redevelopment funds were used to "rid" the area of "blight." The redevelopment department barely listened to the people in the neighborhood. While many of you may know this hisotry, for those of you who don't and are interested check out the redevelopment info down at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. I believe they have some info there. Redevelopment has had a somewhat sordid history in Vallejo. And often at the expense of poor folks.

Little Old Lady   |March.23.2008 On Fire... Oh, City of Vallejo staff definitely has a direction. They have developed a carefully coordinated system that continues to feed all of them and their friends substantial amounts of money. We citizens focus on the immediate problem...the bloated Fire Union salaries...but it is only one small chain in a huge circular system of poverty = blight = redevelopment and back to the beginning. The cancer that is killing Vallejo is systemic and metastisized. The Feds send Vallejo millions of dollars just because we are so desperately poor. Those dollars fund stuff that should be paid for by the General Fund. It is a little like Third World beggars breaking their children's arms and legs so they will be more pathetic and elicit the sympathy (and money) of potential donors more effectively. An appropriate new General Plan is not in staff's best interests...that's why they can't figure out how to fund it. (Secret: The Feds have grant money available for this)

On Fire   |March.23.2008 Little Old Lady, this is something the people who live in North and South Vallejo have talked about for many years. The city of Vallejo had pimped off the misery of those people and neighborhoods for far too long. To keep those neighborhoods in blight, riddled with crime and drugs guarentees that redevelopment funds would continue. For at least the last twenty years, those neighborhoods have been not seen any effective "redevelopment" goals that has improved the living conditions. There is no plan that has any measurable improvements or substanial evidence to show that people are moving into those areas or any increase in commercial zones. (With the exception of fast foods, prce gouging food stores and liquor outlets.) But with that in mind, that sets up a cash cow for the city doesn't it? This same cash cow now to be cosidered as a source of revenue to pay for police salaries. Without a revised and updated General Plan, the city seems to run chasing it's tail in perpetual circles with no real direction.

Little Old Lady   |March.23.2008 Vallejo currently has a total of 4,019 Housing Choice and Project Based Vouchers while the City of Fairfield, with a similar population, has a total of only 851 vouchers. Project Based Vouchers go with the property and are tied in for 55 years. Housing Choice vouchers are given to clients who then go out to find housing. The VHA administers the Choice vouchers and takes a percentage of the $25-30 million for an administration fee. VHA is under the Economic Development Department...same folks who administer the Redevelopment funds. So you are right. "we have created a Bureaucracy that exists in part to sustain itself and grow"...

Tax Decrement   |March.23.2008 Silas: I would love to see posted here on VIB the current form 700 (statement of economic interests) ... Excellent idea! All documents related to Vallejos financial and political landscape should be put in the hands of the citizens. Form 700

Silas Barnabe   |March.23.2008 NBR :Silas, I never got into a conversation which the basis was "every" tax dollar collected went into the GF Silas: "Of course you wouldn't because you know that 90 cents of a dollar would go for salaries and benefits." So you and Mr. Norbeg and John K assert, now, that 90 cents of every tax dollar collected goes to public safety salary and benefits. I can't speak for anyone else in this matter, but I will continue to assert that any tax $$ designed to exclusively enhance the general fund will have 90 cents for every dollar going to salaries and benefits. Care to challenge that?

On Fire   |March.23.2008 NBR instead of you continuously challenging the information posted here, why don't you give the others you take on what the problem is? You seem to want to muddy the waters by asking the same questions and challenging information butyou have offered nothing to the solution. You are here everyday and I haven't read anything that you have offered to deal with the issues. Just what do you think is going to solve the problem? Or is you sole purpose here is to obfuscate?

NBR   |March.23.2008 NBR :Silas, I never got into a conversation which the basis was "every" tax dollar collected went into the GF Silas: "Of course you wouldn't because you know that 90 cents of a dollar would go for salaries and benefits." So you and Mr. Norbeg and John K assert, now, that 90 cents of every tax dollar collected goes to public safety salary and benefits.

Silas Barnabe   |March.23.2008 This begs the question.."which Council members own low-rent or section 8 housing" I have heard the self righteous Michael Wilson is one of them, and I also understand Solano County has not been forthcoming with such information. I would love to see posted here on VIB the current form 700 (statement of economic interests) and each high ranking city and elected officials property holdings in this city. I think that with the current w-2 earnings and the above mentioned forms the corruption on our current council becomes even more transparent.

Tax Increment   |March.23.2008 Little Old Lady, this issue of federal subsidized housing and similar programs that increase the need for safety services while contributing no tax monies to pay for them is surely a piece of the problem here in Vallejo. It would be interesting to see how Vallejo compares to surrounding cities on the percentage of these kinds of programs. When I look at the Housing and Community Development staff here, http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/GovSite/default.asp?serviceID1=86 , I begin to wonder if we have created a Bureaucracy that exists in part to sustain itself and grow. Is the Bureaucracy itself on a mission to expand or has already done so to a point where Vallejo is over-weighted in these fed programs. I think we can say with some certainty that as we increase this type of housing at the low end of the socio-economic scale we make the community less attractive to high end businesses. This is a difficult conversation to have because the staff at Housing and Community Development work hard to help the needy but in my opinion we need to understand all the issues and start making incremental changes to get Vallejo back on track.

Little Old Lady   |March.23.2008 The pools of City of Vallejo money have underground aquifers that run together. The money that comes in from the Feds through HUD to fund "affordable housing" cannot be used to fund public safety services required to maintain a level of order in the community. For example, all the 600 calls for police service to Marina Vista Project are paid for by the General Fund. Also non-profit housing Projects and drug rehab centers do not pay property taxes so impacts are similarly paid for by the General Fund.

Silas Barnabe   |March.23.2008 NBR :Silas, I never got into a conversation which the basis was "every" tax dollar collected went into the GF Of course you wouldn't because you know that 90 cents of a dollar would go for salaries and benefits. As usual in your posts you obfuscate; why would you try to mask the true cost of safety by dividing it by a $300,000,000 budget the super majority of which can't be used to pay for safety salaries? This is why most comparisons are done with general fund monies as they can be used to spend at the discretion of the council (unless that council's city charter has binding arbitration in it).

John K   |March.23.2008 Silas - Thanks. Looks like NBR simply used my post to criticize another blogger. As for revenue... didn't Joe Tanner raise the garbage fees to pay some of the 8.5% safety union salary hikes last August? I recall a city council meeting where the garbage fee hike would have slipped past without notice had not Councilwoman Gomes asked if the fee hike was to cover police and fire pay. And Tanner said, "Yes." No doubt you would win that bet on LNG... any revenue from LNG would have been used to finance a whole new chapter in public safety... including fire, security, and related infrastructure. I can envision a whole fleet of maritime public safety officers, with state-of-the-art firefighting ships, support systems, communications networks, special weapons, intelligence network, public spokespersons, auxiliary vessels, anti-terrorism squads, and frog men teams with diving equipment. And perhaps Vallejo's first city owned airborne security - a City Of Vallejo LNG Safety Patrol Helicopter, requiring support and some mandatory minimum staffing level. We'll also need to budget for LNG Safety Battalion training, travel, seminars, and UBL. After the additional public safety expenses, there would be nothing left of any LNG revenue for public works, community services or city administration. The same thing would eventually happen with increased sales tax revenues from box stores, Trader Joes, or any other new businesses locating in Vallejo. And sales tax revenues disappear more quickly with "revenue sharing" giveaways like Ford & Chevy received for moving to the new auto mall. I'll bet any and all revenue from an Indian Bingo Casino would eventually go to employee salaries and benefits as well. How about a Murphy's Law for General Funds for the 21st Century? Something like: Left unchecked, public employee salaries and benefits will increase in percentage to totally consume any given budgetary fund.

Tax Increment   |March.23.2008 NBR, it would be interesting to compare Vallejo redevelopment projects with surrounding cities. A portion of the property taxes we collect do get skimmed off and sent to the various redevelopment projects. Some questions would be, what percentage of the total taxes are involved and what additional safety resources are consumed in the service of these redevelopment areas.

NBR   |March.23.2008 Silas, I never got into a conversation which the basis was "every" tax dollar collected went into the GF

Silas Barnabe   |March.23.2008 John K All of this has been explained to NBR before, you are being taken for a ride as good as your intentions are. As I recall the city's $300 million budget is not all from sales, tax drivcers license fees and so on there is also block grants and other federal monies and other "one-time" monies waiting to be spent on specific projects. If a parcel tax or other tax measure by some miracle where ever passed to enhance the general fund, it would be even more accurate to say that 90 cents of every dollar from that tax would go to pay employee salaries and benefits as 90 percent of the general fund is for employees salaires and benefits. Nearly 80 percent fo the general fund is goes to pay for safety services alone. In short if the LNG revenue had come in I would be willing to be that 80 percent of every dollar that went to the general fund would be for safety services. This is why we need to remove binding arbitration from our charter and not extend these outrageous contracts that allow such a monopoly on the general fund.

Sonic Toad   |March.22.2008 I understandd your concern "Found no decency here". Personally I just wish that Mr. Henke would have a bad hair day. You know.. just one of those days when you can't control it. If that happened we could all consider him as human. But, alas I don't think that's possible.

Ghostwriter   |March.22.2008 Mr. Whittaker, Do you consider Ben Franklin someone we should respect? Well, here's a bit of historical fact for you. Ben Franklin was a signer on the Declaration AND he used many pseudonyms during his lifetime. Guess he was just a coward, right? Or is it that you do judge a book by it's cover? Or a persons comment by the moniker?

Found no decency here   |March.22.2008 I came to this message site trying to find out what can only be balanced truth. I understand the anger and frustration this situation has caused and continues to cause, however, when one of these posts goes to the point of hoping for harm to someone, and no one addresses that comment, is beyond sad. Sam Kurshan flippantly added to one of his posts concerning Kurt Henke that hopefully Henke would have a heart attack. Thank you for letting me see within the first 35 comments that there is no way to get balance out of this website. Sam, remember what you wish on others can come to haunt you, and shame on the rest of you for remaining quiet about it.

NBR   |March.22.2008 Thank you John K for the info. Doing the math it appears that WaR's statement is inaccurate, "These employees already get over 80% of every tax dollar we citizens pay in... " If $300 million is collected and 78% ($64.5 million) of the GF is used for safety, then WaR's complaint should have been that 'these employees get over 21% of every tax dollar we citizens pay in...."

John K   |March.22.2008 Hello Central Vallejo... I too would love to see a map of Vallejo showing the various neighborhoods. Please post if you come up with a good description or a map of the neighborhoods. It reads like shay58 and Judy Irvin have some good ideas. Jim Kern would know if there's a map. Jim is Director of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum and you can find him at the museum on Marin Street. He writes a local history blog for The Times Horrid. He's written about two different Vallejo neighborhoods, so it's a cinch he knows about others. Check out his "RECENT POSTS" for Vista de Vallejo and Vallejo Annex neighborhoods. The Vallejo Annex is probably a few blocks from Leachman Park. http://blogzone.timesheraldonline.com/history/ Historian Ernie Wichels mentions a race track in Leachman Park... "there was once a race track called The Cyclodrome located in what is called Leachman Park Subdivision. Central Avenue runs approximately through the middle of what was once a racing circle, while Ryder and Farrell streets intersect the former site. Trotting and pacing races were held here. Here the circus tents went up annually. Bicycle races were also held, and it was a center for many athletic events..." see http://tinyurl.com/2kwad2

John K   |March.22.2008 NBR... Answers to your questions: 1) public safety gets 78.5% of the General Fund; 2) The city has over $1 billion in assets and collects and spends about $300 million annually; this year about $82.8 million in the General Fund, and the remaining $217.2 million in other special funds. Of all the funds, the General Fund is mainly what is available to cover routine costs of running the city such as police and fire, public works, community services and city administration. The General Fund receives revenue from sales taxes, property taxes, motor vehicle license fees, property transfer fees, utility user taxes and other unrestricted taxes and fees charged by the city. Unrestricted refers to the fact that those entities paying taxes (like us), etc. into the General Fund are NOT restricting it to pay for particular expenses within the City's budget. The other special funds are used to keep track of other restricted activities such as the Water Department, Sanitation and Flood Control District, Discovery Kingdom, golf courses, marina, Local Transportation, Redevelopment Agency, Housing Authority, Mare Island Conversion and other entities. Also, the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) and the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) are separate organizations and are not under the control of the City Manager, Mayor and City Council. For intimate details, see Paul Norberg's article: Everything You Wanted to Know about Vallejo's Accounting Practices http://tinyurl.com/3yuj8z Hope this helps

NBR   |March.22.2008 "These employees already get over 80% of every tax dollar we citizens pay in... " Two questions: 1) How accurate is the "over 80%"? 2) The "80%" comes from the general fund. Is WaR correct that ""every" tax dollar" is designated for the general fund? There are no tax dollars designated for any other account or fund?

Judy Irvin   |March.22.2008 central... A couple of years ago, a draft Preservation Plan was prepared by a consultant using a grant from the State Office of Historic Preservation that had been obtained by the Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission. It contained a map that outlined the various neighborhoods and identified those that should be surveyed in depth because they might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, there are two neighborhoods on the National Register...St. Vincent's Hill and Heritage... and one on the State Register...Bay Terrace. The draft plan was "disappeared" in the bowels of City Hall. Copies were given to all of the City Council members sitting in Nov. 2007. So you might ask around.

shay58   |March.22.2008 Central Vallejo: You might want to check with Vallejo's Planning Department. Also, some of Vallejo's neighborhoods like Flosden Acres, etc., were named for the city's early residents. You might be able to find out a bit more information about your neighborhood at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. Good luck.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.22.2008 Hey, lets not make fun of high-end retail "Johnny Cash." Dont forget that at one time, Vallejo had all the "swank" of other cites such as Walnut Creek, Benicia and Napa. Any town that can boast they have a "City of Paris" and can draw high-end music jazz "greats" has "swank." Some where along the way we lost our "mo-jo." I am sure it has something to do with sending all our retailers up hwy 80 to the Fairfield Mall (but that's another story.) We need high-end retail, main-stream retail and economical retail to fit all the social-economical groups in Vallejo. We should be a "greedy" city, and get business here to satisfy our tax base (high and low.) Leaving Vallejo to shop elsewhere is death to our tax base. If you are driving out of the city to shop at a discount store (Big Lots) or at a high end retail shop (Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware etc) you are obviously giving another city and county your taxes.

Central Vallejo   |March.22.2008 Sorry to interrupt the political debate for just a minute. I love this site - keep up the good work! Does anyone know if there is some sort of map that shows the various neighborhoods in Vallejo? I know of course the Historic District but not sure where the East Side begins and ends, etc. I have been told that my area is called Leachman Park or something like that but am just curious about the various neighborhoods. Thanks

John K   |March.22.2008 Without our Ferry Godmother, we may be doomed to sad-sacked-ness, Katy. Can former Mayor Anthony Intintoli stand up for Vallejo and save us from further machinations of the evil (termed out) Don Perata, assisted by the traitorous backstabber Sen. Pat Wiggins? Apparently he didn't see those events coming, perhaps because he was busy trying to save us from our current fiscal debacle. But in the past, there were those who said the heroic RinTinTintoli played a key role improving water transit for the region. In late 1996, Vallejo's City Council, in recognition of his unwavering support and hard work over the years to improve the ferry system, decided to name the first catamaran the M/V Intintoli. Perhaps he deserved that honor, but Raahauge or Ferry Godmother may have been better names. Will our former mayor use his new position to help make Vallejo a maritime powerhouse? Will his efforts be deserving of the name M/V Intintoli-II? For a nice historical piece that mentions Cindy Detwiler and Myrna Hayes, see http://tinyurl.com/396y5n John Kocourek

Johnny Cash   |March.22.2008 Maybe Carol is afraid of loosing her Nordstroms credit card if her hubbys pay gets cut back to 150K?

WaR...last try :-)   |March.21.2008 Article: Council: Do Your Job: in the VTHerald... Carol Knight of Vallejo asked councilmembers: "How much would you charge for you to put your life on the line each day without question?: Carol Knight: What an idiotic question! Ms. Carol, you asked the Question, "How much would you charge for you to put your life on the line each day without question?" If any of our council members answered your question with "Without question I would pay, One, two, three or even five million to each of these heroes..." would that be the wages you think we the taxpayers should shell-out for each police and firefighter? These employees already get over 80% of every tax dollar we citizens pay in... and their Union president has obviously shown he wants way more! By the sound of your statement you wouldn't be happy until their cut was 99% to 100% of the citizens' hard earned taxes, I've got an idea... Maybe we should just charge the citizen whose life is saved instead of Vallejo's taxpayers! Then when a life is saved that person would give up everything they own, including every dollar that was made by them for the next 20 years

WaR   |March.21.2008 Article: Council: Do Your Job: in the VTHerald

WaR   |March.21.2008 Article: Council: Do Your Job: in the VTHerald

Katy Miessner   |March.21.2008 Oh we are just the sad sacks, eh? Wonder if Intintoli can save our ferry from the likes of Ron Cowan and Don Perata? He certainly was never able to save our city from the public safety unions. http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/ferryboats_and_mcmansions/Content?oid=526289 Excerpts: It's good to be Ron Cowan, and to have friends like Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson and State Senate boss Don Perata. Thanks to them, Cowan is on his way to building a bunch of new McMansions made attractive by a ferryboat service subsidized by taxpayers. But there are losers in this story, too. They include...Vallejo commuters who may lose funding for the Bay Area's best ferry service. In the end, Cowan's good fortune appears to be just another case of his political friends coming to his rescue even if it means screwing some of the people who elected them. ... ...[Peratas's] argument was immediately embraced as being perfectly logical, even though, as pointed out on [the East bay Express] pages, the creation of a regional ferry system as a backup for commuters during an earthquake is a monumental waste of public funds.

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 Lennar Corporation's First Quarter Earnings Conference Call to be Broadcast Live on the Internet http://www.earthtimes.org/ articles/show/ lennar-corporations-first-quarter- earnings-conference-call-to-be- broadcast,314651.shtml MIAMI, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lennar Corporation announced today that the Company will release earnings for the first quarter ended February 29, 2008 before the market opens on March 27, 2008. Additionally, the Company will hold a conference call on March 27, 2008 at 110 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be broadcast live on the Internet and can be accessed through Lennar's website at http://www.lennar.com/. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived at http://www.lennar.com/ for 90 days.

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 Carol: I appreciate your posting. It's good to know there are reasonable people in public safety who understand why so many people are concerned about our budget. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some firefighters who are also concered about the leadership within the FF's union.

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 S.F. deficit grows, budget experts announce Wyatt Buchanan, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, March 21, 2008 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/ article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/21/BA9VVOGK0.DTL&tsp=1 (03-21) 17:29 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco city officials have expected to be short hundreds of millions of dollars for next year's budget, but they will have to cut even more, according to a report released today by three City Hall budgeting offices. The report projects the city will have a $338.4 million deficit in next year's budget, a number that has grown from $251 million in the past few weeks. By law, Mayor Gavin Newsom must submit a budget with no deficit to the Board of Supervisors by June 1. City officials will likely order significant layoffs, cut programs and increase various fees to close the gap. Newsom's administration has projected that hundreds of city employees will be laid off this year. Today the mayor said city departments must submit plans to cut salary expenses by March 28; layoffs would happen in August. He said he was ready to take the political heat for cuts in the number of workers and in programs and services. "I don't want to have to walk down the road that Vallejo walked down," said Newsom, referring to the Solano County city facing bankruptcy.

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 Ex-mayors join ferry disaster board By Erik N. Nelson, STAFF WRITER http://www.contracostatimes.com/ traffic/ci_8649384?nclick_check=1 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Senate leader Don Perata on Thursday appointed the former mayors of Vallejo and Alameda to serve on the board that governs the authority taking over the two cities' ferry services. The 2007 legislation that created the Bay Area's Water Emergency Transit Authority was changed at the eleventh hour to allow the new agency to commandeer the ferry services, a surprise that especially angered Vallejo officials. Schwarzenegger appointed Vallejo's Anthony Intintoli Jr. to be vice-chairman of the board and Perata named Alameda's Beverly Johnson as a board member. Both were mayors until last year's municipal elections. "Part of it is making nice, but part of it is getting representation that makes sense," said Randy Rentschler, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which has long sought to consolidate the region's ferry services. The authority was originally proposed in a bill written by state Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, as an agency to rally ferry services in the event of an earthquake or other disaster that disabled bridges or the Transbay Tube. The bill was amended very late in the legislative process to allow the new body to take over all public Bay Area ferry services except ferries run by the Golden Gate Bridge district. The authority will also control $250 million in bond money to expand ferry service, which is already being planned for Berkeley, South San Francisco and Redwood City. Members of the Bay Area Council, made up of the region's top business executives, which spearheaded the effort to create the authority, were especially pleased by the appointments. "This is an agency that needs to move with real urgency," said John Grubb, a spokesman for the council, which was concerned that delays in making the appointments would impede the new authority's work. That urgency was driven home this week with a study by the U.S. Geological Survey saying that an expected major earthquake on the Hayward fault would cause devastation worse than that done to New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.

Tina Wandasky; Mare Island Cau   |March.21.2008 Since funding has been cut to the community based orgainizations due to the greedy hosers' union is it true that the JFK Library is transferring its books to the area underneath the Mare Island Causeway? They need a librarian down there pronto. Can't afford it? Most of the books are laying on their backs, pages flapping in the wind like so much oxalis. I couldn't make out most of the titles through the chain link fence, but I did see copies of Star Trek Deep Space Nine and JR by William Gaddis. So I guess that's where you go if you're looking for fiction in this town since I can't find a bookstore anywhere. To the very authentic people below, Mr Kurshan and Mr Whittaker, who spuddle about pseudonyms, I am heartened to see this rash of noms de plume breaking out on the VIB blog. It's a healthy rash. People can spew and avoid getting their shacks burned down. As Arouet would say, "Ecrasez l'infame". Mr Whittaker, imagine how much respect the U.S. has lost with Georgie Porgie in office and he uses his real name. P.S. Were you aware that Voltaire's real name was Arouet?

Carol   |March.21.2008 Well I work in Law Enforcement in another county--Some are aware of what is happening in our city. They are not supportive of the firefighter's Union,as the IAFF has given public safety a "black eye." I do not support IAFF Union either. I am very angry at what they did to our town. They should be prosecuted, and without revealing where I work--I think there are grounds for prosecution.

Carol   |March.21.2008 Since Intintoli now serves on the Ferry board, perhaps Vallejo riders will now be able to ride the ferry free during "spare the air" days. I wondered why the free rides only apply in Larkspur & Sauslito.

Not a chance   |March.21.2008 scared, there is no way these chowder heads can muster the programming ability to interact with the GIS database. Pencil and paper, yes. Bits and bytes, no.

scared   |March.21.2008 When representatives of the fire department threaten me with statements like "you better hope your house never catches on fire because we might not be able to get there" or "people are going to die", I wonder how safe we all really are from retaliation. Especially when I look at the City of Vallejo's remarkably detailed and accurate GIS system that shows my house. There are inaccessable layers in the system for staff. So if a fire alarm comes in and the FD punches in the address in the GIS system to figure out where to go, is there a special FD code for "not a friend, respond slooooowly"? I think those of you who chose to use your own name could be at risk. Maybe the FD's threats are not empty.

Firebug   |March.21.2008 Anony, Wow I thought Gomes and Cloutier were ani-business? Looks like this deal started on their watch and I hope the corrupt 5 don't try to take any credit for bringing in new business.

Alun "but is it really me" W   |March.21.2008 Early for April 1st? Vallejo Times-Herald The Editor, Dear Sir: Aw c'mon! "The media's tainted slant on global warming". What's next: "Evolutionists are all monkeys", "Globe makers conspire to hide flat earth measurements." What's up, are you running short on your supply of "Firemen are my heros" letters? Are you really so hard put to find OpEd pieces that don't infringe your censorship rules, that you are now reduced to dipping into the loony bin? Sad, so very sad. Alun Whittaker

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 Land sale likely to bring jobs to Vallejo http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_8650432 A new manufacturing operation that promises to be among Vallejo's largest private employers, should be operational by summer, the firm's owner said Thursday. A deal on the company's new Benicia Road property closed last week, said Mike Ghiringhelli co-owner of Ghiringhelli Specialty Foods. The firm makes fresh and frozen foods like salads and pizza for retail stores like Costco and Trader Joe's, he said. It manufactures the Mr. G's Fine Products, a line of frozen pizzas, potatoes and sauces and mostly private-label fresh foods which it distributes to more than 5,000 retail stores nationwide, according to the company's Web site.

Anonymous   |March.21.2008 Intintoli appointed to ferry board http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_8650431 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Thursday appointed former mayor Tony Intintoli Jr. as vice chairman of a powerful water transportation board designed to oversee state control of Vallejo and Alameda ferries. Intintoli's appointment will give Vallejo a voice in how its four ferries, ferry terminal, schedules and fares will be transferred to the state next year. "I'm looking forward to working to assure the Vallejo ferry service continues to thrive," Intintoli said. "Our ferry system is a very important link in the entire network. It's very important to have it continue to sustain growth."

On Fire   |March.20.2008 Now that's what I'm talking about. Will keep eyes and ears open.

The Messenger   |March.20.2008 On fire said: "Maybe it's time to start really holding our elected officials to their promises or boot them out the door." The mechanism that will produce that result is closer to becoming a reality here, in the very near future, than you could ever imagine. Stay tuned and stay informed.

On Fire   |March.20.2008 Sam, the city reflects where your IP service is coming from. Depending on the computer you use, it can show various cities. Hope that helps.

On Fire   |March.20.2008 So the good people of Suisun have mounted a recall effort for two of their council members and their mayor behind the wallymart approval. Seems like recall movements are catching fire (excuse the pun)all over the bay area. Seem the good mayor of Suisun ran his campaign on the fact that he would vote against any big box store development and low and behold, he voted for it. Maybe it's time to start really holding our elected officials to their promises or boot them out the door. Let's see, Mrs. straight talking hannigan hasn't been straight with her conversations on the dias so far. But then again, she hasn't really said anything for that matter other than her scripted speech a couple of weeks ago. Now if we count her statements made at the economic developement commission, that's not straight talk. As a matter of fact, it was erroneous information that she gave out and she should be held accountable for what is is saying out in the community as an elected official. Maybe we should start a tally for the council members and see how they vote and what they say, as opposed to what their campaign promises were? From what I've heard and read, it's hannigan "0" for straight talk. Has anyone heard anything else from her that would give her any points toward her "straight talk" promise? The other promise of innovative ideas is also in question. Has anyone heard any to date?

Sam Kurshan   |March.20.2008 My internet service was disrupted due to my moving from one side of town to the other, so I did not have the opportunity to respond to Jon Riley's audacious letter to the Times Herald the other day. Today, I made this response and would also like to post it here. I stopped posting on the T.H. months ago but never the less wanted to answer Riley's letter publicly. Before doing so I must remark that as an unregistered poster at the T.H. I was automatically listed as living in Hayward, CA. I can only wonder why, but would like to speculate that the T.H. is attempting to create an illusion that the dissenting opinions are coming from people who do not live in Vallejo. As a result, I can only wonder how many other posts of those who have chosen not to register there are being arbitrarily assigned incorrect cities of residence next to their posts. Anything is possible from a paper that has been known to alter their comment boards after the comments as well as their responses have been posted. This is my response to Jon Riley's letter: Jon, Your credibility has evaporated. You may as well stop wasting your time with your propaganda campaign. You are only in this for the money. I have been a life long union member and I am ashamed of the negative light you have caused organized labor to be seen by. You have forgotten what the true principles of unionism are and have adopted instead, ones of your own which represent greed, dishonesty and manipulation. You spoke of loyalty to the city and citizens of Vallejo. You must think we're are ignorant fools, to believe a word you say. You condemned Council Members Gomes & Schively and City Manager Tanner for their courage to stand up to your decades long destructive tactics, which are the core reason for our city's financial crisis today. You referred to the atmosphere of the Council Meeting you attended as that of a circus, but did not mention or did you somehow fail to notice, that some of your union members were observed under the influence and carrying on in an inappropriate manner at the back of the auditorium. Your desperate attempts to alter the truth by waving the guilt/heroes flag has long been completely ineffective. Give it a rest Jon and while you are doing so remember this, the image of a hero is a perception someone has of another person based upon the behavior and actions they observe from them. They acquire this perception based solely upon those actions and not because they are constantly reminded to be loyal to them. A hero doesn't constantly waive their deeds in the face of those he/she seeks to be praised by. They wait for the praise to come unsolicited!

On Fire   |March.20.2008 Thanks for your opinion Sam, and needless to say, I feel differently. I am neither cowering nor am I hiding. If the posting by a nam de plume bothers you, don't read it. But because freedom of speech exists via internet under a user name, that's my choice. As stated before, simply posting a name does nothing to validate a position or opinion. But the facts are still the facts whether or not you know the person who stated. I certainly have been around long enough and I have contributed comments in person and by name. I haven't stopped doing so. I also feel that I don't have to qualify my reasons for doing so either. (henke's law suit not being one of them.) The majority of blogs are filled with usernames, tags, etc. etc. It is what it is.

Firebug   |March.20.2008 I appreciate what you do Sam, I hope that you worked things out with the Mayor. I would think that the mention of the ACLU is sending cills up his spine.

Sam Kurshan   |March.20.2008 Is that you Kurt? Or is it Jon? Or is it Mariano Guadelupe/ We Haven't heard from him in a while. Seriously though, I believe anyone one "the inside" should identify them self eventually. It will only add more credibility (and hopefully a heart attack for Kurt) to the situation.

Firebug   |March.20.2008 City Councils ,Mayors, Politicans are bought all over the bay area by unions, it could be that some of us that are anonymous work in such conditions, perhaps some of us might be closer to the other side than you could ever imagine. I won't be coming out of the closet anytime soon, and if you feel so strongly about this why don't you encourage the Edinator to make a name for registration required. I don't think it would be very effective and I am not certain why it is a pre-requisite in some minds for participation, but to each teir own I suppose.

Sam Kurshan   |March.20.2008 Whoops, sorry, I meant Ray Bradbury's book not Kurt Vonnegut's. I was preoccupied with another Kurt (Henke) and couldn't get the name out of my mind.

Sam Kurshan   |March.20.2008 I just had a vision. Remember the Kurt Vonnegut book Fahrenheit 451, which was later made into a movie? People were not allowed to read books and if they were caught, the fire department would come to their home, with lights and sirens on and out of the hoses would come a flammable liquid instead of water. This was sprayed on the pile of seized books and lit on fire. I wonder if people who use anonymous screen names are afraid of some type of retaliation ala Kurt Henke? Perhaps they are afraid of the fire engine pulling up to their home and causing a public spectacle as Kurt steps off the engine and rings their bell to serve them a flaming hot "FUFL" (Fire Union Frivilous Lawsuit). Stop cowering people!

Sam Kurshan   |March.20.2008 Wow, I can't believe all the intellectualizing and rationalizing going on here, concerning the use or non use of a persons real name when posting their comments. It's all hogwash! If you make a comment, obviously the matter is important enough to invest your time in. So why wouldn't you also have the courage to stand by your convictions and post your REAL NAME ONLY? If you sincerely believe in what you are saying and it isn't some impulsive flame baited response based on ego and not intelligence, which you hide behind an anonymous name by, then there is absolutely no excuse good enough for not posting your REAL NAME ONLY! I have had people tell me I am a hot head and that I am too extreme. I'm glad I don't hide behind an anonymous name because I welcome the opinions of those who disagree with me and want those who disagree with me to know exactly whom they are disagreeing with. This is about guts and integrity. Stop hiding in the shadows of an anonymous name and step up to the plate and express yourself as yourself!

Firebug   |March.20.2008 Anony said"Uh .... nope! The above is an example of why real names are not posted. Having a false name slandered does nothing to the posters credibility. Having a real name slandered deflects away from point or facts and ends up focusing on the what the critics say is the posters real agenda. We end up arguing more over the authors 'real intent' and credibility than whether the post is factual." It is also convenient to use different handles and avoid using your real name so no one can quote what you may have said on other blogs like the old vallejonews.com

On Fire   |March.20.2008 And anono why is it that you care? Just something else for you to bring forward to muddy the waters? You have nothing to offer or bring to the table except to try and debate the issues that mean something to only yourself. What is your purpose?

Sparkanonbugsilas   |March.20.2008 "....Maybe do to the fact that your on company time and the trucks/car have all been washed so you find time to surf the internet? The sirens have been quiet this morning so too much time on your hands?" Uh .... nope! The above is an example of why real names are not posted. Having a false name slandered does nothing to the posters credibility. Having a real name slandered deflects away from point or facts and ends up focusing on the what the critics say is the posters real agenda. We end up arguing more over the authors 'real intent' and credibility than whether the post is factual. I am not on "company time", but, this is America, Land of the Free, (thank you Armed Forces) and you can assume what you want .... no matter how wrong it is. Alun makes a point why real names are avoided: "Ladies & Gentlemen: May I briefly interrupt the flame war to suggest that you stop lambasting each other .... " If this was truly a sight for "Intelligent Discourse" then these 'pleas' from Alun and Marc would not ever show up. But they do, so why be associated with "the flame war" and "lambasting"?

Shay58   |March.20.2008 Alun: Let people come to their activism in their own way. Who knows, many of the people who choose not to use their name have good reason.They may be, like me, new to blogging. The VIB blog may be their first opportunity to share their thoughts about city related matters but they may be uncoormfortable with using their names. Thanks for your thoughts.

Firebug   |March.20.2008 I think we all erally have a good idea who anony is

On Fire   |March.20.2008 And to anono who questions the "change in philosphy", I note that you have never revealed yourself as well. Maybe do to the fact that your on company time and the trucks/car have all been washed so you find time to surf the internet? The sirens have been quiet this morning so too much time on your hands?

On Fire   |March.20.2008 While I doubt that I'm trying to fool anyone, I still have my reasons for posting without my real name. Those who do, also do so by choice. If one chooses not to believe anything that is written that doesn't have a name, that's okay too. Because someone posts their real name doesn't validate their writtings as I can post Jane/John Smith. Do you know Jane/John Smith? Do you know if Jane/John Smith knows what she is talking about? Or are you taking Jane?John Smiths comments under consideration based on the facts and information provided? Perfect example, john riley signs his name to every letter he sends to the times horrid. Do I believe anything he says? H no! So you can take the information here and research it for your self, or you can simply consider it an opinion, which most of these posts are. The facts are there for all to see and look into. From the words of our mayor, they are what they are.

Little Old Lady   |March.20.2008 Missmarv.... Whether light rail from Vallejo thru the Napa Valley is a good idea or not depends on who is at the table negotiating for Vallejo. Our negotiators have been incredibly good at giving away the store. A goodly number of our low income rentals and companies benefiting from all the Redevelopment money are owned by Napa County residents. So we know that Napa County treats Vallejo like a "cash cow" and we are being milked to death. Plus historically, Napa City grew after the war because of "redlining" that allowed Mare Island workers to leave diverse Vallejo for the lily-white Napa suburbs. Many of our current City staff still retreat to Napa each evening. There has always been Napa Valley elitist distain for Vallejo. You might remember that the Neighborhood Alternative to the Callaghan/DeSilva Waterfront Project included resurrecting the rail line along the existing tracks from the Mare Island Historic Core up to Calistoga connecting with the Mare Island ferry slip. That would have a significant multiplier effect but it flies in the face of the City of Vallejo Redevelopment Agency's plan to remove all those impediments(National Historic Landmarks)on Mare Island and do some real Redevelopment for that ever illusive tax increment in accordance with the legislation passed by Mike Thompson who represents the Napa Valley... not Vallejo.

Firebug   |March.20.2008 LOL I can accept being called a coward, those that runaway live to strike another day.

Sparkanonfiresilas   |March.20.2008 "If people like Marc Garman and Katy Miessner had the courage to establish this site and put their names to it, then so should you." The original "Vallejo is Burning" "Who we are is not really important ...... " Change in philosophy? May as well put your name on it because, 'you can't fool all of the people all of the time'?

Alun Whittaker   |March.20.2008 I don't like the fire union and particularly not its leadership, but I do respect that when a letter or statement is published, it has the name of Kurt Henke, John Riley or Alan Davis clearly attached. They don't hide behind silly nicknames or "anonymous". In contrast, this blog, with a few regular open exceptions, has thousands of words, expressing truthful facts (we assume), and well-reasoned opinions (we hope) all posted by people who are unwilling to sign their own real names. Sorry folks, but even I don't trust anything I read here without a real name attached. I'm sure that any open-minded, first-time reader would dismiss the whole thing as just a meaningless, juvenile flame war. Just try to imagine how much respect the US might might have gained if the founding fathers had published a Constitution signed by Liberty Larry, Revolting Ruth, and so on. If people like Marc Garman and Katy Miessner had the courage to establish this site and put their names to it, then so should you.

Phoenix   |March.20.2008 Do you think that you could be using some of your neural pathways for some critical analysis and solutions instead of endlessly debating "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin". Is there some cathartic or pathological need to beat the same issues to death. We need solutions, not constant rhetoric on who is the real village historian. It is clear that there are several problems and we need real solutions 1) a restructuring of the unions (especially safety) contacts, including separating out paramedic services 2) "Real" development on Mare Island, including development of industrial,commercial and retail projects (Lennaretown is not the solution). The transition planning was either absent or poorly done 3) Long range strategic financial planning by the City and increased monitoring of expenditures 4) An outside independent audit of the City's finances and possibly an elected position of Auditor responsible only to the people These are just some ideas, I'm sure there are more things that can be done, but how about moving foward? These blogs are starting to remind me of early episodes of the "twilight zone".

Firebug   |March.20.2008 LOL Alun you are right it does take a tremendous amount of courage to face a bunch of half drunk bullies and cry babies that might have to give up some of their toys and hobbies.

Alun Whittaker   |March.20.2008 Yet more wasted electrons Vallejo Times-Herald The Editor, Dear Sir: Carol Knight cannot tolerate Council Members Gomes and Schivley being referred to as heroes, and she writes to the Time Herald demanding to know how many burning buildings they have entered recently like her heroes in the Vallejo Police and Fire Departments. A good start by Ms. Knight, but I don't think her questions went far enough. So, here are few more tough questions for Council Members Gomes and Schivley: * Exactly how many city overtime hours have you spent abalone fishing? * How often have you required the city to pay someone else to do your jobs because you had too much to drink at an "official business" meeting? * How many times have you switched shifts with each other so that each of you can claim double-shift overtime for normal working hours? * How often have you made the top twenty list of highest paid city employees? Just to be fair, I have a question for Ms. Knight too: How often do you climb the City Hall steps, or wheelchair ramp, to face a crowd of half-drunk union bully boys, hurling threats and obscenities in your face? Try that, along with a few of those long, no overtime hours that Joanne Schivley and Stephanie Gomes are working on our behalf, and you too may earn to the right to be called a hero.

Firebug   |March.20.2008 Thanks Silas, I forgot about the chapter 9 to 11 difference discussed at the town hall meetnigs.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.20.2008 Hey "little Old Lady" can you address this one with any information you may have? Last council meeting the subject of the "light rail" came up. It looks like our city has been in talks with Solano County Board of Transportation, Napa County Board of Transportion and the Water Authority/transportation. It looks like Napa would like a light rail from the Ferry up valley to the Napa Valley, so now the talks for light rail start up again. Dont forget if we dont spend the 58 million dollars the Fed's have us for our transportation hub, they will be taken back. I worry this is a way for Napa to get their hands on our federal money, by combining a Vallejo-Napa light rail from the Ferry up to the Napa Valley. We need to make sure that we are not used as a "bus-stop" to re-direct all our possible tourism dollars to other destinations. Highway 29 through the city of Napa has been well maintained by Cal Trans, a lot of dollars went into the overall improvements that have been made (take a drive on hwy 29 and you will see where Cal Trans has spent funding on.) Highway 29 through Vallejo looks terrible. Weeds, debris, falling down cyclone fencing, lack of landscape make it an eye-sore. If we are to do a light-rail from Vallejo to Napa Valley,lets make sure we "get ours." We are rich in History and Historical Mare Island tours should be offered, tours of homes with distintive architecture, the beauty of our locality should be exploited, Discovery Kindom etc. Lets grab tourism dollars just like our Napa county neighbors that have exploited the wine industry! We cant let another country use us for our funding to support their tourism trade and it can happen! A light rail system is a great idea, will take cars off the road, but we must protect our inventments. Little Old Lady what say you?

Retrospective   |March.19.2008 When I was a child, I knew that I wanted to to be something other than a policeman or fireman because they weren't paid exceptionally well. Education was going to be key to my success. Guess I should have bought a crystal ball instead of going to school. Vallejo should be on the list of the safest cities in America due to the exceptional price we pay for protection, alas, it is not. We average 1 to 3 structural fires a year, I have heard various numbers quoted from those in the know, never heard more than three. We are therefore paying mostly for paramedic service, and that is why the fire union justifies their members being paid like doctors, just kidding. Only 1 (possibly 2) station gets a lot of calls, therefore, overtime in the others seems to be easy money! Minimum staffing guaratees that money. Perhaps if they (police and fire) take a 15% cut and the IBEW takes 10% and CAMP takes 8%, they will have only have received 17% more in raises than IBEW and 10% more than CAMP, then we will only be underpaying everyone in CAMP and IBEW and still overpay police and fire by 17%, besides, they'll make up the loss in overtime because they all get it, even the positions that are typically salaried. Overtime for other departments, are you crazy?! They are understaffed and don't get any overtime now. Have you noticed how bad our roads are getting? It couldn't be that public works only gets 5% of the budget. Will cutting non-safety make a big dent, that is extremely debatable. There was a time I could drive across Vallejo several times a week and not see a police car, now, I always see at least two per trip. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad thing, but increased police presence occurred after the decline in crime which was due in no small part to the escalating housing market. I'd be curious to see the staffing levels and their difference since, say 1990. Will we have an exodus of policeman to Oakland, doubt it, most of our new hires for the past several years have reportedly been from Oakland. Guess it is really dangerous down there. Do we have a shortage of applicants for the fire department? That stupid question doesn't even deserve a response. Will other people leave, possibly, probably from the jobs filled by the more educated and/or technical people. Generally, those that can make more elsewhere that take less money for Vallejo's decent (the best, no; the worst, no) benefits and retirement package. Let's not forget that 9% is taken straight out of an employee's pay for their retirement. Then we can hire more contractors at an exorbitant rate and still not get the service we are paying for. Yay, higher costs and less service. Maybe more indirect fees like the garbage hike to pay for pavement damage so we can give more to police and fire. I know I pay more in taxes here than I did when I lived in Benicia, but our people are a lot more experienced and knowledgeable Of course, these fees and taxes need to be high because property values will continue to fall because our city is poorly maintained. Goodness knows, those bonds on our property taxes for the schools helped immensely! By the way if memory serves, the highest paid person in 2002 was a police corporal, he worked a ----load of overtime to the tune of 179K which was about double his salary, I think the city manager made like 165K that year. Man, today that sounds like pocket change! I think we may need a salary survey redone, why else would people commute from the South Bay and San Francisco, don't they pay better? I guess it depends on the job classification! I crossed the Carquinez and even the Bay Bridge for years to make better money, guess it rubs me the wrong way and I am somewhat bitter... Whatever happens, this ain't gonna be pretty.

shay58   |March.19.2008 Anyone notice that at a time when the T-H should be taking some kind of a stand on this whole budget issue they are opting instead to print letters to the editor, "community ideas" and editorials and articles from other newspapers? Sad.

Silas Barnabe   |March.19.2008 KM: Don't mean to but in but I would agree with you if Vallejo filed for chapter 11 like United, Northwest, Delta ETC., but as Robert McConnel pointed out in his excellent chapter 9 bankruptcy comparison to chapter 11 there are key differences that may allow for vallejo to toss its contracts. In addition the Orange County lawsuit that involves in retroactively making the cities pay ALL PERS payins even though years paid in as of 2000 were at the old 2.5 at 55 rate very well may win. This would require PERS to pay back cities and counties. If for example joe fireman had ten years in PERS when the 2000 legislation was passed to change PERS contributions to 3 percent at 50, PERS is not or joe fireman is not entitled to collect 3/50 from the 10 years already paid at the old rate.

KM   |March.19.2008 Firebug: right about United because they didn't have the Vallejo union's law firm (that represented the Delta pilots). Unfortunately, it depends on how much you're willing to pay for stellar representation. In Vallejo, Riley and Henke are pulling out the stops; this should cost a bundle! I don't think the city of Vallejo (and its citizens) can afford that level of legal expertise.

On Fire   |March.19.2008 From SFGate today: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has ordered all city departments to slash salary expenses by at least 8 percent in order to close a projected $300 million deficit, a move that officials say is likely to result in hundreds of city workers being laid off. The latest round of proposed cuts follows Newsom's November mandate that agencies covered by the city's general fund - the city's primary spending account - make 13 percent across-the-board cuts. But many of those departments - namely, public safety agencies like the police and sheriff's departments - did not comply, and as a result, Newsom's office ordered the second round of reductions late Tuesday. By law, the mayor is required to submit a balanced budget to the Board of Supervisors by June 1. Too bad our council(some) can't "order" reductions without giving away the farm first.

Windex   |March.19.2008 Art Project, that last post was hardly Intelligent Discourse. Bad, bad, bad! Though a picture can paint a thousand words...

On Fire   |March.19.2008 Victor, don't go away. These are testy times and I think most have been so put off by what was previously posted on the times horrid blogs with regard to Cloutier and other council members that it sets off our antennas. I think enough has been said, please feel free to join in with your thoughts and comments.

Firebug   |March.19.2008 Edinator, nslookup on Victor's IP will reveal much! You don't have to post of course but could verify at least it isn't ptoperty of the city of vallejo.

Victor Myles   |March.19.2008 Oops, I probably should have mentioned that I'm a supporter of Gary Cloutier and I also happen to be on his, um, "team." That's where the dating joke came from. For the record, I think Davis, Henke, Riley, Hicks and rest should be indicted by a criminal grand jury for their years of malfeasance. I just though we all needed a laugh. Oh well. I shall post no more.

On Fire   |March.19.2008 Sorry Victor, too many bad posts attacking Cloutier have tainted some of us and put us on alert mode. Thanks for the humor, we are a tad too serious at times.

Firebug   |March.19.2008 I vote penalty for posts like Victor = show us IP address

Anonymous   |March.19.2008 Whatever Victor, just take it to the Times Horrid.

Art Project   |March.19.2008 Caption: Erin Hammagain

Victor Myles   |March.19.2008 What nasty posts, Katy? Gawd, you people cannot even take a little diversionary joke. So sad. Y'all need massive infusions of Prozac.

Katy Miessner   |March.19.2008 Victor, when you border on slander, you are not funny. Take your nasty posts to the Times Horrid - they love them over there.

Victor Myles   |March.19.2008 Oh geez, On Fire. Take it easy. It was just a light-hearted bit of humor on this dreary Wednesday.

Firebug   |March.19.2008 KM, As I recall there is already a landmark precedence set with the United airlines bankruptcy where Pilots lost amost half of their pensions.

On Fire   |March.19.2008 Victor, you have your sites mixed up. This isn't the Date Connection. While your message may be near and dear to your heart, let's try to stick to the issues that the community would be interested in.

Firebug   |March.19.2008 I love it! Someone mentioned a caricature for Ms. Hannigan as Ms Piggy. I will be getting to work on photochopping a fireman's helmet on Ms. Piggy!

Victor Myles   |March.19.2008 I'm so glad Gary Cloutier withdrew his lawsuit. Now he will have more time to date. I'm available for a LTR, Gary!

KM   |March.19.2008 I understand that the unions have retained a very prestigious and expensive SF law firm to represent their interests in talks with the city. Who, from the city, is representing our interests? This is the same firm that represented the pilots' union in the Delta Airlines bankruptcy, now considered to be a watermark of bankruptcy positioning for an employee group. Are we being outgunned, again?

Glass half full   |March.18.2008 If the facts were known, the Mare Island to Medusa Run was one of the best fundraisers in Vallejo. So who is really to blame for the fall of such a great fundraiser? Maybe it was the then City Manager Otto Giuliani. He had the nerve to tell Mr. Riley not to use duty time for a "volunteer" program. He should use his own time. How rude! So with no on-the-job time,Riley closed down the event that year. That was at a time when Mr. Giuliani had been offered $10,000 from the State I.B.E.W. Union and Giuliani offered it to fund the race. But no takers. So everyone quit running and the event continued the next year (with a new City Manager)but never got back to the level it was prior to 2004. What a shame.

Robert   |March.18.2008 Great Job tonight at the podium Alun! Your diagram showing how the IAFF has designed the contract pay raise mechanism was extremely effective. I believe that point could be at the center of a class action lawsuit brought by the citizens of each affected city.

WaR   |March.18.2008 In Response to Jon Riley's March 18th Times Herald opinion letter: (We've never been quitters in Vallejo) Is there anybody in Vallejo who doesn't believe Jon Riley & Kurt Henke have way more power and say over our City's Manager and Council than should be allowed? They are simply city employees, these people are their bosses!!! This is Jon merely welcoming all of us to the new "HENKEVILLE" Riley, why don't you tell the people how... yearly you were getting overtime UBL pay for all those hours you claimed you were "volunteering for the kids", during the Medusa Runs to Marine World. Your self-claims of "warm hearted actions for our children" make me want to PUKE! In Response to some of opinion writers responding to March 18th Times Herald article, "Cloutier Drops Suit For Mayor's Seat." Osby's already fed Vallejo and all its Citizens to "HIS HOUNDS"... Why would anybody want to take over as mayor now? The "STUFF" has already hit the fan, and Osby and Foster Hicks have made sure we were all standing in front of it! Thanks Foster! YOU, of all people, turned out to be a trader to hundreds who loved and trusted you, those family, friends and student supporters who stuck their necks out to defend you against the same fire union president that wrathfully tried taking you down with his racist tactics... Again, Foster thank you for giving us Osby... as a result, the all new "HENKEVILLE"!!!

WaR   |March.18.2008 In Response to Jon Riley

WaR   |March.18.2008 In Response to Jon Riley

On Fire   |March.18.2008 And to those who continually state that all of the "experienced" employees will leave for other cities, The San Jose Mercury News states: The city should listen to the market: San Jose is a magnet, especially for fire department work; it pays well and can be selective. The city should drive a hard bargain and regain control of its finances. Cities that don't may well end up like Vallejo. End up like Vallejo! So it isn't about more revenues because San Jose has plenty. It's about employee salaries and benefits. Any fringe people in San Jose? How about tree huggers? Maybe just people who have some sense about what the city needs to do to keep it's head above water? Or people who are trying to make sense in higher places!

On Fire   |March.18.2008 Interesting that they put riley's letter in the paper the same day that the "editorial" staff ran articles from two other papers, both with the same message, "don't follow Vallejo into bankruptcy". Funny, I don't think Orange County is full of tree huggers, yet their message seems to be the same as the fring group here! "Vallejo is not the first city to reach the fiscal brink because of profligate spending on public safety. The Northern California city of Richmond and the city of San Diego have been mired in similar problems. Keep that in mind as the current Orange County Board of Supervisors pursues various policies to clean up the mess left behind by a previous board that approved a retroactive pension spike for deputies as a reward for past service. This board also reformed the retiree medical care benefit for county employees. Board Chairman John Moorlach told us the county's liability for medical care is down to $153 per person after recently passed reforms, whereas in Contra Costa County the figure is $2,536 and in San Francisco it's $5,645. Clearly, the county's efforts despite objections by public-safety unions are yielding tangible benefits. "Vallejo has been a labor town," said Mr. Moorlach. "The unions run that city, and voila!" His lesson for O.C. and elsewhere: "People have to get in front of this puppy." And they've got to do so even over the howls, barks and squeals of self-interested public-safety unions." Howls, barks and squeals....as in dog sounds? Arf arf!

Firebug   |March.18.2008 Anony: "didn't he want to fire 10 (+/- 2 or 3) employees and give the rest a raise? Didn't the employees oppose the raise? They won that time, too bad they lost (oppose the raise) this time." Past reality demonstrates as well as the 78 percent of the general fund consumed by safety services that employees have been fired/layed off to achieve such an unbalanced gernal fund expenditures on safety personnel.

Anonymous   |March.18.2008 "Mr. Baptise was cleared of any charges and it had nothing to do with stealing from his students, and still had his school at the time he was hired." So there is no denying he was under a criminal indictment? I don't think he was "cleared", unless that is the same thing as "charges dropped" because he returned the money.

Annony   |March.18.2008 "By the way the city manager was Ed Wohlenberg, and he also tried to close down a firestation in 1991." And it was Henke that led the opposing point of view? In order to close it, didn't he want to fire 10 (+/- 2 or 3) employees and give the rest a raise? Didn't the employees oppose the raise? They won that time, too bad they lost (oppose the raise) this time. "Rumor mongering"? "Insight"? Deductive reasoning from past verified/documented events? .... Take your pick I would have been happy to go to a "special election" and would not have donated one red cent to any plea (regardless of which candidate it was) for court cost 'for the people'. Anybody know if there is a list of donors and the amount donated for the failed court challenge?

Open Government   |March.18.2008 From the boys at the IAFF: We Offered to Sacrifice for the City Firefighters simply ask that instead of cutting services or staffing, we will agree to sacrifice our pay raises and postpone increases in benefits to save the city six million dollars over the next five years. At the end of the day, our employer isn�t really City Hall, it�s the people we protect. It�s the citizens of Vallejo. Yeah, well the budget report says the city is going to be 13 million in the hole next year. So the 6 million over the next five years does little to save the city. That comes out to less than a million a year by the time you take out the perks that the fire dept. will get paid regardless to their "sacrifices". Now that they are finally realizing that "oh...oh...the city really is broke" and they have to face the judge and quite possibly have their contracts thrown out the door, now they want to come together and sing camp songs by the fire? PLEASE move away from the keyboard riley and spare us from further heartburn.

Open Government   |March.18.2008 From the boys at the IAFF: We Offered to Sacrifice for the City Firefighters simply ask that instead of cutting services or staffing, we will agree to sacrifice our pay raises and postpone increases in benefits to save the city six million dollars over the next five years. At the end of the day, our employer isn

On Fire   |March.18.2008 Anony, please, for one thing, any "word" you bring to this post only exists in your head. Like we are to believe you would have any insight as to what is going on with Cloutier or his supporters. Maybe you should stick to posting at that rag the times horrid. There are others who would enjoy your type of rumor mongering.

Firebug   |March.18.2008 First we were a group of activists, later a "very tiny fringe" group of vallejoans and now a "tiny finge" of 1186'ers needs to post lies and misinformation here. I can't beleive after decades of lies, obfuscation and the pot calling the kettle black politics you are once again trying to divert the wasting of revenue $$ away from the sweet heart deals at the automall, the UBL scandals, and revenue enhancing backroom schemes. By the way the city manager was Ed Wohlenberg, and he also tried to close down a firestation in 1991.

On Fire   |March.18.2008 Please be honest, since this was Cloutier's statement and not yours, please don't bore us with your diatribe. You have issues, take it to the times-horrid. That rag is filled with comments like yours. I suppose you would have been happy to go through the special election and pay for it as well regardless to whatever outcome it may have rendered? And suppose he won? Bet you would been happy about letting the process go forward then too?

On Fire   |March.18.2008 Anony, the unions did however try to keep Kemp by stating that they would not come to the table....lasting joke, if Kemp was fired. Why? Because he was inept and could not get his dept. head (parker) in line to stay within the budget. Then he flip flopped on yes the city did agree to min. staffing and no the city did not agree to min. staffing. Funny, the person who actually kept the records of the meetings and was able to finally set the record straight was from the HR dept. As pointed out by Firebug previously, "Glad to see the obfuscation and out and out pointless distractions around facts are still tactics in your fishing expeditions." The fact of the matter is, the minority council has not made the decisions to bring us to the present day problems. While Ms. Schivley has readily admitted that she voted for the contract back when Martinez painted his rosey picture for Vallejo's future, she knows now that it was a mistake. But the funded majority is more than willing to continue down this same distructive path to appease the support they received both from the unions and chamber. Mr. Baptise was cleared of any charges and it had nothing to do with stealing from his students, and still had his school at the time he was hired. If he had been convicted of anything, (sounds like your excuse for henke)then he would not still of had his school or his job.

Anony   |March.18.2008 "The WORD:" is that Gary is taking what is left of the donations to his challenge to regain the mayorship and R&Ring in Palm Springs. Deserves it.

Please be honest   |March.18.2008 Yeah right Gary, you didn't drop the suit to save the city money. If you really were concerned with saving the city money you wouldn't have been wasting it over the years you were in council. You dropped the suit because you didn't want to embarass yourself AGAIN by getting blown away in a special election. Quit Lying to all the people, maybe if you became a sincere person good things will happen to you.

Anony   |March.18.2008 Try again curious. The unions and chamber had nothing to do with the hiring of Wallenberg or Barclay or Kemp (I think Pearsal and Intintoli went back East on the cities dime to check him out .... personally). They had nothing to do with the pressure to have Kemp leave. Wallenberg and Barclay are another story. Barclay 'might' have survived if she hadn't insisted on hiring a fire chief from Socal that was under criminal indictment for stealing money from Jr. College students enrolled in his fire academy class. Wallenberg .... so long ago its hard to remember. What was the name of the union president that opposed him?

Anonymous   |March.18.2008 City of Vallejo have a structural problem that is not going to be resolved unless the following actions are taken right now...... 1. Across-the-board salary reduction of 10% for ALL City employees. 2. Simultaneous salary freeze for City employees for the next 5 years. 3. Two-tiered salary system for new City employees starting immediately. 4. City Manager with 100% oversite over Lennar Corporation contract. 5. Restructuring of Lennar Corporation contract with specific targets. 6. New Chamber of Commerce director and 25% increase in CoC budget. 7. New Economic Development Commission director and 15% increase in EDC budget. 8. City Council adoption of 10-year economic plan with specific targets.

Curious   |March.18.2008 anon... The mayor and the city council are "hired" by the Unions, the Chamber and special interests. They then control the hiring and firing of the City Manager and hence staff. Connect the dots any way you want.

Firebug   |March.18.2008 I actually found it to be almost a "plea" for help. I beleive their strategy is to try to secure taxes, fee increases and other revenue "concessions" from the taxpayer than quicker than you can say the word "binding arbitration" work with the mediator for bankruptcy.

shay58   |March.18.2008 Has anyone read Jon Riley's letter in the T-H this morning?

Anonymous   |March.18.2008 "After that, City staff played very fast and loose with the terms of the Agreement that were designed to allow economic development .... " Hiring of city staff is the responsibility of ......? The mayor?????? Nope .... Not the mayor.

SIlas Barnabe   |March.17.2008 Gary, Congratulations for being a bigger man than your opponent, but you may very well become the Mayor of Vallejo yet. Out of genuine concern for your fellow citizens you pulled out because of the financial strain on the city. Our current Mayor joined the majority bought and paid for council to forgive money owed to the citizens by sweeping the UBL scandal under the table. I think there may very well be a twist of fate transpiring at this moment.

Judy Irvin   |March.17.2008 If I remember correctly, the Memorandum of Agreement with the Feds and the State for the Transfer of Mare Island out of Federal control in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act was signed by Tony Intintoli. This MOA is pivotal because law requires legally defensable protections for historic properties as a part of any transfer out of Federal control. After that, City staff played very fast and loose with the terms of the Agreement that were designed to allow economic development to proceed while protecting what was really important about the National Historic Landmark District and the larger National Register District. All of the "public meetings" were held by the Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission and never noticed to the public so the decisions pushed by staff were under the radar. Some time back, the Commission got a State Grant to develop Project Guidelines which were then "disappeared" and redone by Lennar at staff's direction. Because of the outrage of the National Park Service, the State Office of Historic Preservation and a huge cast of characters that actually know how to rehabilitate historic military sites when the final plan was presented to the City Council for unanamous approval, the National Trust for Historic Preservation stepped in to challenge the plan. Tony presided over that approval and told the rest of the Council to just vote when some Council members blanched at the letters from the State, Feds and Trust that tended to indicate that any decision to proceed would be challenged. It was City Staff that was the impediment, not Lennar. It was the Chamber of Commerce that told people not to worry about those old brick buildings (the National Historic Landmarks) because they "won't be there". Hopefully, now they might be saved for adaptive reuse in the future because the revised Guidelines no longer allow CEQA to be circumvented so easily. But only recently, staff brought forward a plan to replace a 3' path through Alden Park with a 12' wide multiuse path as "just maintenance" even though the new Guidelines call for development of a Cultural Landscape Report to identify what is important before bringing in the heavy equipment because Alden Park is within the National Historic Landmark District. It was recommended by staff, but the decision was postponed. I don't know what ultimately happened. Staff uses constant Council and Commission turnover, lack of professional expertise and the Brown Act to make sure that their "recommendations" go through. The City of Vallejo is like Enron...a special culture that protects itself first and laughs at all us "Gramma Millies".

Firebug   |March.17.2008 Someone aspiring to the belief that Lennar bringing in money would solve vallejo's financial crisis is like blaming the bleeding to death on how fast the blood clots (not the injury).

Robert Schussel   |March.17.2008 In early 2007 I took the data( number of jobs on Mare Island)that Lennar was using to justify its "success" and presented it to various the Economic Development Commission,Planning commision and City Council. The data showed 3 things: 1) the number of jobs had actually declined on Mare Island and had been stagnant for almost 5 years. 2) the GAP between Lennars own projections for growth ( which were quite modest) and actual was increasing. 3) most of the growth on Mare Island was due to the companies on Mare Island adding staff,not as a result of Lennars efforts. In fact most of the jobs are from government agencies and education. It seems that that no one cares enough ( even when presented with the facts) to put any pressure on Lennar for doing an inadequate job. Now that the economy is in the toilet our City Council and Chamber of Commerce will have another excuse for their inattention to this issue. I can't be at the special session today but hope that someone will point out that even before the current economic turn down that Lennar growth was minimal and was always significantly lower than their own projections.

On Fire   |March.17.2008 And another thing about Martin. If he had voted with Hicks, Schivley and Rey, then Callahan DeSilva would not be sitting on our prime waterfront property. (Which I don't hear many people complaining about for their delays!)It was Martin's vote, siding with the funded four that put that deal forward.

On Fire   |March.17.2008 Chamber and unions have been a large part of the influence for the major deals that were signed by council. They tried to ensure that their people were voted into office to further their cause. (Like the automall deal) They have been in control over the funded majority for over twenty years. I'd be taking a major leap but I believe these are the people you, anon, align yourself with the closest. Yet you choose to only point out what you don't like about the minority council, which again, did not have the ability to change the majority's vote. So if you don't like the Lennar deal, then complain to the chamber/union blog and don't forget to look at yourself in the mirror and yell at the face staring back at you.

On Fire   |March.17.2008 "The unions and the chamber had nothing to do with the contract signed. Being in favor of a company that had experience in base conversions is one thing, we'd probably be better off if the unions and chamber were allowed to develop the contracts." Excuse me but I believe that both were part of the marketing strategy for LNG and both were part of the commercials. During the Hicks, Schivley, Rey era, you couldn't possibly count Martin as part of that group because his votes varied as much as the ties he wore. If he was, then why was he not included in the first of many frivilous laws suits by henke? Speaking of eras in history, when was the Lennar agreement finalized?

On Fire   |March.17.2008 Anon, it's simple enough to check your facts before making comments here. The documents are all online. Barclay was long gone by the time the Lennar agreement was signed.

Anonymous   |March.17.2008 The unions and the chamber had nothing to do with the contract signed. Being in favor of a company that had experience in base conversions is one thing, we'd probably be better off if the unions and chamber were allowed to develop the contracts. What history era are you in? Schively, Martin, Rey and Hicks (4 is a council majority) were not union friendly or funded by the unions, but don't let the details stop you from rewriting history.

Remo Lue   |March.17.2008 What's the difference between a church bell and Kurt Henke? One peals from a steeple and the other steals from the people.

Anonymous   |March.17.2008 Lennar Corporation - Mare Island (Windows Media) (sorry - link is too long - Admin) Comments & feedback from Lennar's Mare Island video, please......

On Fire   |March.17.2008 Anon, let's not forget that there were six other council members that signed that Lennar deal and the majority were funded by chamber and unions. The chamber was a big supporter for Lennar as were the unions. But don't let the details stop you from picking in Schivley. Barclay was nobody's tool as henke soon had to learn.

Anonymous   |March.17.2008 Many people remember Ms. Barclay was a tool of Joanne Schively. She was at the Mgr. when Lennar signed the M.I. contracts.

missmarvelous   |March.17.2008 So... Any news on what happened at the closed meeting last night? It surprised most of us that it was held on a Sunday?

shay58   |March.16.2008 Many people remember how poorly Penny Barclay was treated and how some on the City Council (as well as so-called city "leaders" sat back and essentially co-signed on Henke's bad behavior. Many people have not forgotten. While Henke is not the entire problem, he certainly does serve as the poster child for Vallejo's financial and social problems. He needs to go!!!

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Well there are paper copies of those articles still floating about and for those who lived through those times, we haven't forgotten. Ms. Barclay was brought on board to bring the dept.s in line and to get rid of the dead wood. But as soon as she tried, the chamber/union types all began their campaign to ridicule Barclay and try to stop her. When she stood her ground on the hiring of dept. heads, the chief of the f.d. in particular, henke went bullistic. He had visions of putting Sherman in with the thought that he could be in total control of the dept. both with the union and management, he was dancing with joy. When the community came out to challenge that placement, he began his attack against the council, staff and community members. That was when his madness began in earnest. Many more people are now aware of his games and how much his spite has cost the tax payers. We just have to wait to see if the union members and other employees will finally get enough of his venom.

Silas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 On fire, I remember reading about that stuff way deep in the archives of vallejonews.com. I knew the day would come, but they have finally turned it off I think. Since the passing of Lily Heyen there wasn't any new investigative journalism going on there, but now we have VIB May she rest in peace and long live VIB.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Forget aout the fact that henke threatened to kick down the former city manager's door if she didn't take a meeting with him immediately! I doubt he will pull the same thing with Tanner So maybe a bit of sexism coming out as well? Or how he threatened Pete Ray by insinuating that something bad could happen to his family and how they would then have to depend on the fire dept. to come help? Vexatious? Malicious? retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person? Look these up in the dictionary and you will see henke's face smiling back at you.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 I think we should research the total amunt that henke has cost the tax payers with his frivilous lawsuits over the course of the last ten years. Hundreds of thousands of dollars because he had is teeny weenie feelings hurt. ecause he says his reputation was hurt! "They said bad things about me...like being a racist. Forget that I have two baboons in my house named after a former city manager and assistant city manager! I am not a racist!"

Silas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 Anon:"Continuing down your path without sufficient foundation could be interpreted as Legal abuse: Vexatious litigation or malicious prosecution to retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person." Ah the Irony of Henke's lawsuit against against Pearsall, Shilely, and Guiliani" Looks similar of a SLAPP lawsuit which is exactly why the court tossed it.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Can somebody say "SLAP"?

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Oh so the "s" word rears it's ugly head yet again! :!: Continuing down your path without sufficient foundation could be interpreted as Legal abuse: Vexatious litigation or malicious prosecution to retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person. :!: You speak of the basis of henke's numerous lawsuits against council members, city staff and citizens? henke, riley, is this you? Or even better, the one riley tried to bring against Cloutier. The one where riley felt threatened and verbally abused! Oh my! Don't make me laugh. If henke thought he had a real suit, he would have sued the City and not the individuals. Then have his talking head (allan-the rug-davis) come to the press and decry the fact that the city has to pay out all of the money to defend them from his client's malicious prosecution! What a joke. The tactic is not only old and tired but yielded nothing except the continued growing disdain for henke and his henkettes from the tax payers. Please, henke will be the making of his own demise. Just keep it up and you will see.

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 "The fact that he abused a vaguely written agreement regarding the use of UBL doesn't change the fact that it was still abuse." I think that's what City Mgr Barclay did, fire him for some vague reasons. That worked out well. I thought Kemps downfall was the memo written upholding the 145 PD staffing levels? There is no "fact" of abuse and theft. Allegations and innuendo will only lead to another Sloan/Kinnley type of disastorous court battle. Continuing down your path without sufficient foundation could be interpreted as Legal abuse: Vexatious litigation or malicious prosecution to retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Sorry, It should read "The same ones ranting about kicking Lennar out of Vallejo, have defended the union's contract." Shouldn't try to eat dinner and type at the same time.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 So true Katy. The same ones ranting about kicking Kennar out of Vallejo, haave defended the union's contract. They have apparently forgotten that a contract that was negotiated in good faith, by the funded majority, would have to be broken. The vision shared by the council when they signed the Lennar deal, was that of the chamber of commerce and the unions, as they supported the council candidates that were seated when the contracts were signed. Anon, the fact that henke has gotten away with stealing the tax payers money is an issue. The fact that he abused a vaguely written agreement regarding the use of UBL doesn't change the fact that it was still abuse. Maybe the DA whose offfice is supported by the unions and chamber, would not choose to bring forward any charges, the council is held accountable for sweeping the abuse under the carpet. The fact that Parker lied when he stated that he was following the practice of the Oakland FD as they had a similar (non)policy for monitoring UBL, adds to the abuse. According to the Chron article, the Oakland FD's Chief not only monitors the use but it has to be approved by the Chief. Kemp was hired to bring the city's overtime and expenditures down, and he continued to let Parker and his dept. run out of control. Kemp's inept handling of the dept.s was his downfall. The arguement of whether or not henke can be charged with a crime doesn't change the fact the he and riley should be fired for abuse and theft of taxpayers money.

Katy Miessner   |March.16.2008 Anonymous, a little too late, I'd say. The City should never have approved the Lennar contract back in the 90s, when Al DaSilva was the "Economic Development Director." Apparently the what DaSilva was best at was creating deals to divert sales tax to cover developer fees... And cut Lennar? They were probably laughing through their teeth at the deal they got from Vallejo: does their contract even require them to meet any obligations or benchmarks? Can Vallejo even legally ask them to? It's just like the firefighters keep harping: a contract is a contract, signed in "good faith" by both parties. Maybe bankruptcy would let us get out of the Public Safety Union contracts and the Lennar contract?!?

Ronald Longhorn   |March.16.2008 Hi, Any news about "Special" Meeting this AM...?

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 you know the D.A. grand jury (criminal) is seperate then the civil grand jury. The D.A. summons jurors to serve on the "criminal grand jury," oppose the the civil grand jurors, who are in fact, volunteers. Although Henke/Riley requested Civil Grand jury charges to be dismissed prior to comming to the table, the D.A. can still choose to file criminal charges through a "criminal Indictment" in which they would supoena individual citizens as if they were sitting on a jury trial.

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 Time to cut Lennar loose from Vallejo. The Drudge Report cites article (below) showing Lennar having problems in Las Vegas. The real estate market is collapsing, folks...... Two Las Vegas Housing Projects Have Missed Payments, WSJ Says By Nicholas Larkin (Bloomberg) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a77EBseixzQI&refer=news March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Two Las Vegas housing projects have each missed an interest payment in recent weeks on about $765 million of debt and are holding talks with lenders, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing development partner Focus Property Group. The Inspirada and Kyle Canyon Gateway ventures, which include Toll Brothers Inc., KB Home and Lennar Corp., have received default notices, the newspaper said, citing Focus Chief Executive Officer John Ritter.

Silas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 On Fire agreed or at least have the guts to admit it was Allegria that they are referring to. Only after having had it pointed out that she and others fired their own city manager for doing her job which meant holding a friends feet to the fire over re-development loan re-payments does anony suddently back-peddle and say it wasn't her. The current President of the League of California Cities is from San Diego so I doubt there would be concern from a politician that far South of us.

On Fire   |March.16.2008 Intersting that anon and others keep referring to the UBL'ing charges as being inconsequential? Then why did henke demand to have the charges and the court challenges dismissed prior to coming to the table? If they ddn't matter, if they were unfounded and bias (allen davis), then why did it become part of the bargaining process? Especially the UBL report? The city can never use them in any discipline actions? Again, if not true, why insist on having them dismissed?

Silas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 Then name the President of the League of Califronia Cities you referred too or if you must have us guess I guess Allegria. What kind fo drug are you taking to think that we aren't going to outside law agencies even above the County?

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 Maybe "around" but not the one. I think your interpretation of "gift of public funds" is a thin stretch to UBL. Get the D.A. to make a charge. Just like the CC D.A. did for "kickbacks". Then, if the charge sticks, prosecute. If the charge is dropped (or unable to be made) they (union) are considered "exonerated".

SIlas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 Anony : "The President of the League of Cities characterized certain previous council members actions as "back stabbing", regarding Kemp. Any act that can be described as "back stabbing" would fall under the definition of "impropriety". " You brought it up and Allegria is the past President of League of California cities that would have been in office right around Kemps termination. Allegia along with others where recalled for well an for improprieties and backstabbing themselves (when they fired their own city manager). But you can read that yourself....http://www.pinolerecall.com/ I included quotes because whatever Henke and Rieley negotiate will be a fact and reality we have to live with.

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 Why do you have "negotiating facts" in quote marks? Why worry about "If"? It reads like Tanner was cleared from "criminal wrongdoing", were the union members 'charged' with same? I think your interpretation of "gift of public funds" is a thin stretch to UBL. Get the D.A. to make a charge. Just like the CC D.A. did for "kickbacks". Then, if the charge sticks, prosecute. If the charge is dropped (or unable to be made) they (union) are considered "exonerated". Former Mayor of ......? What does a council member of Pinole have anything to do with Vallejo's "backstabbing" council persons?

Silas Barnabe   |March.16.2008 This former President of the League of California Cities President was none other than the former Mayor and recalled disgraced council member of Pinole Alegia would it? I guess there is no need to get into the culture of back stabbing and inproprieties is there? If Henke and Riley are responsible for "negotiating facts" that are to be presented to the mediator I think in all fairness they should be removed. As for what did the UBL abusers, those that authorized the "gift" and those that "forgave it" do wrong? Read your California Constitution gift of public funds provisions contained in Article. XVI, section 6.

John K   |March.16.2008 Reads like Tanner has been exonerated. Have the UBL abusers?

Anonymous   |March.16.2008 Who represents the union has nothing to do with facts presented to the mediator. Alleged improprieties being swept under the table has already been established as part of V-towns politics. The President of the League of Cities characterized certain previous council members actions as "back stabbing", regarding Kemp. Any act that can be described as "back stabbing" would fall under the definition of "impropriety". Did the union leaders do anything criminal? You seem to have given a pass to the City Mgr (CC Times: Oct. 25--The Contra Costa District Attorney's Office said Thursday that Pleasant Hill City Manager Joe Tanner has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over allegations that he received kickbacks from a bond deal.) regarding questionable, but not illegal actions. I think satisfying your particular bias is inconsequential when compared to getting the city on sound finacial footing.

Firebug   |March.16.2008 To anony Ny the same token I want a "plan" that will work for the citizens not just Kurt Henke. I would like to see him and Riley removed and someone else higher up on the IAFF represent the unions in this matter. He has already proven he is asking too much asking the council to sweep his past improprieties under the table.

Anonymous   |March.15.2008 "We"??? No, "We" don't have a plan. The mediator and bankruptcy attorneys and staff and unions are working on a plan. I'd prefer someone, whose self fullfilling prophecy of only 5% chance for success, not be part of "We". Unless that display of pessimism was a genuine lapse of judgemnt that is admitted to. It is hard to make progress when living in denial.

Silas Barnabe   |March.15.2008 So Anon, You think we have a plan now?

Anonymous   |March.15.2008 shay58 "If" ???? Is going bankrupt with no outline and/or guarantee of 'saving the city millions of dollars' considered a plan? Going bankrupt with only the hope that things will go your way is no different than going to arbitration. That "plan" was the 'wing-and-a-prayer' plan. Not worth $300,000+

Lex Luther   |March.15.2008 Anyone know why the City Council is MEETING tommorrow ( SUNDAY!!) AM with UNION folks.. Another BACK DOOR DEAL??? Lex

shay58   |March.15.2008 Anonymous: Hmmmmm. I get your your point. However, if he has a plan that saves our city millions of dollars, his salary may be worth it.

Anonymous   |March.15.2008 "...once the salaries of Vallejo's highest paid city employees were published for the world to see. Before these salaries were posted not many people were privy to the fact that we have city employees being paid more than the president of the United States, university heads or corporate CEOs." "May be I am naive but even the Gang of Four won't be foolish enough to terminate Tanner's contract." He is one of the employees making more than POTUS, university heads and corporate CEOs?

shay58   |March.15.2008 RdP: Business as usual ceased once the salaries of Vallejo's highest paid city employees were published for the world to see. Before these salaries were posted not many people were privy to the fact that we have city employees being paid more than the president of the United States, university heads or corporate CEOs. May be I am naive but even the Gang of Four won't be foolish enough to terminate Tanner's contract.

RdP   |March.15.2008 However interesting and informative, the more I read on this blog, the more depressing things sound. I feel as though the only way out of this mess is for the Council to turn Joe Tanner loose...managing cities is what he's done for a very long time and is what he's being very well paid to do now. But with the three recently elected members, I'm more concerned that they'll vote to terminate his contract. Maybe we should terminate their contracts first??? Any news on the recall effort?

Silas Barnabe   |March.15.2008 So the city council gets to forgive cheaters losing revenue, pass out sweatheart deals like the Automall and you are asking poeple to hold their feet to the fire over revenue from Lennar?

Anonymous   |March.15.2008 So, who is going to confront Lennar at City Hall Tuesday about what they have done for Mare Island and Vallejo? I'm sure that many people would like to pepper them with critical questions about various issues. Lennar to discuss Mare Island projects http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_8584917 "New businesses, land transfers and environmental cleanup efforts - these are expected to be included a progress report Lennar Mare Island will give the City Council on Tuesday. "A study session on Lennar Mare Island's reuse efforts begins at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers as part of a light City Council agenda that has just two other public items."

John K   |March.15.2008 AUTO MALL DEAL - How much sales tax will the city receive this year from the new Auto Mall? As Katy pointed out ...90% of increased sales tax (which would have gone into the General Fund) goes back to Team Ross, until Kenny Ross is fully reimbursed for the $1.3 million development fees he paid. And, he has 20 YEARS to create the additional sales tax! So for 20 years, Vallejo gets 10% of the sales tax, thanks, guys...compared to the 100% the City was getting sales tax from the old location... Now here we are on the brink of insolvency. Given the current financial emergency, it might be prudent to declare a moratorium on the sales tax incentive that was given to Team Chevrolet by the City Council in 2004. Perhaps our NEW city council can rescind that incentive until the city is out of the red. Perhaps the city can require that the sales tax be paid in full until such time as a planned reserve is established. When the budget crisis is under control, then the tax incentive can resume. Or not.

Ann O. Nemus   |March.14.2008 So, who is going to write a book about Vallejo's financial mess? I have a sinking feeling that it will be a best seller. It has the potential of being a case study in public administration courses! The "auto mall deal" deserves a chapter or two. Perfect example of small town politics by patronage. Has the city really benefited from these "subsidies"? It's probably time to get the real numbers ... and take down names!

Anonymous   |March.14.2008 i am one of the small business owners who recently got audited by the firm in fresno that vallejo hired (at 50% of whatever they get). i have all of the paperwork they need sitting on my desk but i will not fax it to them. instead i am legally requesting that they make an appointment to come to my business in person to see my yearly federal schedule c profit and loss statement that my accountant prepares and uses to calculate my business license taxes. i figure that if they want to waste my time they can waste theirs too! i hope every business owner who is being hassled do the same. they should be going after scofflaws who do not have licenses and not the business owners who file and pay their taxes regularly. there should be a cross reference they can use to eliminate auditing those who have licenses and pay their taxes!!

shay58   |March.14.2008 Recently overheard: "My best view of Vallejo is what I see in my rear view mirror when I leave work." - A high salaried Vallejo city employee who lives out of town. Time to file for bankruptcy.

Firebug   |March.14.2008 ON-fire true, funny how making the no-left turn at the Redwoord exit benefitted heavy contributors of the Henkettes, and now they are cracking the whip on "cheats".

Anonymous   |March.14.2008 See, now how is it that BART can get advertising revenue (see article below), and Vallejo Transit Division cannot negotiate for advertising revenue? Wouldn't advertising revenue that places ads on the buses, transfer stations, and bus stops help to raise revenue independent of going into the City's General Fund? BART scores advertising revenue By Denis Cuff, STAFF WRITER Article Launched: 03/14/2008 03:14:59 AM PDT http://www.contracostatimes.com/traffic/ci_8570862?nclick_check=1 BART welcomed a cash cow Thursday: a new contract guaranteeing at least $140 million over 10 years for rights to advertise in BART stations and train cars. The new contact -- nearly five times more lucrative than the last one -- provides outside money to protect BART against continuing state cuts in money for transit systems, officials said. "This is plugging a hole that continues to grow larger because of scarcer resources from the state," said BART spokesman Linton Johnson. The transit board awarded a 10-year contact to Titan Outdoors LLC of New York City for rights to sell advertising on framed posters and kiosks on 43 train stations and in interiors of 669 cars. Under terms of the deal, Titan pledges to pay BART at least $140 million over 10 years out of its share of revenues from selling advertising. BART's current annual operating budget is $627 million. Titan beat out the only other bidder, CBS Outdoor, which has held the BART advertising the past decade. CBS paid BART $30 million under the existing 10-year contact, and had offered to pay $78 million in its losing bid. Several BART board members said they were pleasantly surprised to get so much money. Aaron Weinstein, a manager in BART's marketing department, said advertisers covet BART space because many of the transit system's riders are affluent, and ridership is growing. Titan has won contracts to advertise in several large transit systems, including Chicago and New York, he said. If Titan makes less money than expected, the company still will be obliged to pay all $140 million to BART, said Matthew Burrows, BART's general counsel. Reach Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267 or dcuff@bayareanewsgroup.com.

On Fire   |March.14.2008 Firebug, it's because the business license "cheats" don't spend their money funding city council candidates and have no leverage to have their wrong doing bargined away. Maybe they should come together and form a PAC?

Firebug   |March.14.2008 I found the article in the TH today "city cracks down on cheats" to be yet another ironic fairy tale from the city. How is that last Tuesday the gang of 5 forgave the band of 1186 cheats for their sins in the UBL scandal, yet now they are going after "business license" cheats. Looks like the gang of five favors some cheaters, and not others, so much for the "open" government they promised during their vocal campaign and now relatively closed and silent tenure on the council. They are sort of making good on new business revenues in the city by catching businesses "cheating" on their licenses and fining them. Oh and NBR if you fellows are truly concerned about retiring at 50 you might want to do your part and limit the boozing, high meat and high lead content abalone.

Anonymous   |March.14.2008 Silliass "Tri-tips, boozing, and abalone really help with your case." They don't hurt it either. They have nothing to do with one another. "....The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s. ...." and "...We tire more quickly and take longer to recover...." Are you redefining the effects of aging? Do you have some contradictory evidence that 50+ year olds perform at a competitive level with a 20 year old? There is a disproportionate rate between muscle (soft tissue) deterioration and loss of mental acuity, as most individuals age. A person at age 20 that can drag 150-200 lbs. of dead weight and write code for a software company, will probably still be able to write code @ 50, but tear up the soft tissue in their back if they try to drag the dead weight. Therefore, retiring from writing code seems premature, however, retiring from dragging the dead weight seems appropriate.

Anonymous   |March.14.2008 Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Vallejo California On Brink Of Bankruptcy http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/02/vallejo-california-on-brink-of "Based upon the updated financial projections, the current estimate for insolvency is late April 2008," Tanner said. "It may become necessary for staff to recommend that the City Council consider filing and pursuing Chapter 9 bankruptcy in the event the city is unable to meet its existing obligations with its existing revenues," Tanner said in the report. An [emergency] plan calls for cutting city salaries to 5 percent lower than June 30, 2007 starting on March 28. Police and firefighter salaries under the existing labor agreements would be reduced 15 percent, by 8 percent for the electrical workers and 5 percent for confidential, management and un-represented employees. Thirty general fund positions would be eliminated, 16 of which are currently filled and will require layoffs. Other vacant positions could be filled by transferring employees but the reductions would reduce the general fund positions from 494 to 411, or by 17 percent.

Anonymous   |March.14.2008 Berkshire's Jain: Risk of insuring muni bonds rising By Dena Aubin and Patrick Rucker Wednesday March 12 2008 NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, March 12 (Reuters) - Troubles in Jefferson County, Alabama, and Vallejo, California, could be the "tip of the iceberg," as economic woes raise the risk of insuring municipal bonds, a Berkshire Hathaway official said on Wednesday. Moreover, if the rating agencies level the playing field in terms of how they rate municipal versus corporate obligations, "there will be little need for a financial guaranty insurance marketplace as we know it," Ajit Jain, head of Berkshire's new bond insurance unit, said in prepared testimony to a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on municipal bonds. *********************************** Municipal Default Alert: Vallejo, California http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/market-movers/2008/02/29/municipal-default-alert-vallejo-california Municipal Default Alert: Vallejo, California http://seekingalpha.com/article/66767-municipal-default-alert-vallejo-california "Do municipal bonds really never default? The Californian town of Vallejo seems to have gotten very close. Portfolio's Liz Gunnison filled me in on the details of the city's bonds, from Bond Buyer: "The city government and its related enterprises had about $201.1 million of outstanding bonds and certificates of participation as of June 30, according to the city's most recent comprehensive annual financial report. "All of this debt carries - for the time being - an investment-grade single-A credit rating. I think recovery rates on municipal bonds are normally in the 60% range, which means that bondholders could be in for $80 million or so in losses, if Vallejo's default isn't averted."

Silas Barnabe   |March.14.2008 NBR "Retirement @ 50? What a rip! Is there ANY reason an active job can't be maintained until ..... at least 60? As muscles age, they begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural process, but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it. The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s. The water content of tendons, the cord-like tissues that attach muscles to bones, decreases as we age. This makes the tissues stiffer and less able to tolerate stress. Handgrip strength decreases, making it more difficult to accomplish routine activities such as opening a jar or turning a key. Wrestling a bad guy or using fire fighting equipment. The heart muscle becomes less able to propel large quantities of blood quickly to the body. We tire more quickly and take longer to recover. The body's metabolic rate (how quickly the body converts food into energy) slows. This can lead to obesity and an increase in "bad" cholesterol levels. Junk science! So what if Pd and Fd lose strength, dexterity and the ability to pump blood as they get older, its not like their jobs are any more difficult than someone writing code or a realtor." Tri-tips, boozing, and abalone really help with your case.

Tina Wandasky   |March.13.2008 I was reading my SF Chronicle recently. Possession being 99% of the law as they say, I had found a copy of the newspaper on a table at Panama Red's and later used it as a pillow during a refreshing nap in River Park. I was reading about how Vallejo's general fund was being bamboozled out of more money than it could afford by the firefighters union bosses and their lawyers. And there was a follow-up story about some sort of union business leave infringements where charity was redefined as altruism that comes with a bill. Maybe union 1186 could finagle a contract with the charity organizations to get a percentage of the charity fund-raising proceeds instead of billing Vallejo taxpayers. Anyway, Amcan Man put me asleep with the tired old idea that Big Boxes will bail us out. Lucky I had my Chronicle to put under my head. AmCan Councilman Don Callison says Wal-Mart is contributing to keep them above water. And yet the Napa Valley Register story concludes with the sad reality that Amcan has to defer such necessities as the "$60,000 inflatable swimming pool bubble to cover the municipal pool and keep swimmers warm during the winter months." Look there goes Amcan Man! Our hero! But the kryptonite must have gotten to him and addled his brain and veiled his vision. Today he is smug about the county border. So much so he's in danger of becoming a divide and conquer Wal-Mart executive. Oh no! What are we going to do? If he were thinking clearly he would remember that the first business Amcan Wal-Mart put out of business was the Wal-Mart in Vallejo. Hurry Amcan Man! Pull away from the kryptonite. Send Councilman Dan Callison over the border inside of the Vallejo city limit and have him speak these words, "In my opinion, local union 1186 is a major contributor to Vallejo drowning." Thanks for sending your police and firefighters down to Vallejo to cover the shortfalls especially with all those brave men cashing in their retirement money in Vallejo as was reported in the American Canyon Eagle of February 26: "Vallejo's budget woes could impact Amcan". It's really heartwarming to see these guys pull together for the good of the community which they have expressed their love and care for many times in the past even though most of them don't live here. When those Vallejo council people that many of the locals refer to as the "Henkettes" give those cute little speeches about everyone working together the firefighters say "Ca Ching!"

Yawn   |March.13.2008 Guess the T-H blogs must be slow. All of the drones have migrated here.

Amcan Man   |March.13.2008 On Fire, I just love fishin...I think I'll throw you back. I'm going green.

On Fire   |March.13.2008 Amcan? You rush away for a late night special at wallymart? Just having fun with you. You know we love our neighbor city cause aside from shopping at wallymart we can go to Amcan to shop at....uh...well...? Oh yeah, that's all you have. Well, will say hey to your neighbors while we shop at the Nugget, or anywhere they don't sell fishing lures. But can't you just dig a hole and pick up worms? As for having cheaper salaries for your city employees, just keep paying. You'll be next on the list. Do you sell diving equiptment for abalone?

Amcan Man   |March.13.2008 On Fire, YOU MADE MY POINT...while, as a Vallejo resident, you run into my neighbors in other Solano cities, I run into yours in my AmCan stores. The bottom line is that neither run into our neighbors in Vallejo stores...that's your problem

Amcan Man   |March.13.2008 On Fire, Dude, Calm Down. I'm note sure your safety people make much more than ours. However, ours don't have to deal with angry people like you. If all your V-town people are like you, they deserve the extra pay. Have you checked out the prices of fishing gear at Wal-Mart. You can get a Mepps minnow lure for $2.98. Why would you go anywhere else for your fishing gear.

On Fire   |March.13.2008 Amcan do you wear a red apron or blue apron with the smiley face? I mean are you a greeter that offers shopping carts or one of those in the higher paying jobs as a "sales associates"?

On Fire   |March.13.2008 Amcn while your at it you might want to talk to your city council about your safety services. According to our union chief, cities that hire ff.'s and police for cheaper salaries are getting less qualified employees. You might want to run out to your wally mart and pick up a few more smoke alarms and door locks.

On Fire   |March.13.2008 I happen to shop local for my basics, and venture out for my specialty items. Something you probably don't know about because you can find all the merchandise that fits your taste on the smiley isle. But the majority of your neighbors don't shop in AmCan either, so guess you have to count on only those who want cheap. By the way, how many trips do you make to return the merchandise that makes your kids sick, poisons your animals or just has bad paint that's okay as long as no one sticks it in their mouth?

Amcan Man   |March.13.2008 On fire, YOU MADE MY POINT...while, as a Vallejo resident, you run into my neighbors in other Solano cities, I run into yours in my AmCan stores. The bottom line is that neither run into out neighbors in Vallejo stores...that's your problem.

On Fire   |March.13.2008 And lets not leave out that shrinkage of the brain that occurs at a much younger age. Thank you Dr. henke.

On Fire   |March.13.2008 amcan, I'm sure that the walmart corporation is glad to have people like you who have no social conscious about the way that corporation exploits the people of third world countries with child labor and slave wages, and offers such low quality employment for the people who live in your city, all in the name of providing you cheap merchandise. Enjoy while you can because the novelty will soon wear off and people will soon flock to the newest "cheap" attraction down the road in Suisun. Funny thing though, I keep running into your neighbors shopping in Vacaville, Walnut Creek, Benicia and Fairfield because they don't want what walmart has to offer. Guess there is something to say about discerning taste.

NBR   |March.13.2008 Retirement @ 50? What a rip! Is there ANY reason an active job can't be maintained until ..... at least 60? As muscles age, they begin to shrink and lose mass. This is a natural process, but a sedentary lifestyle can accelerate it. The number and size of muscle fibers also decrease. Thus, it takes muscles longer to respond in our 50s than they did in our 20s. The water content of tendons, the cord-like tissues that attach muscles to bones, decreases as we age. This makes the tissues stiffer and less able to tolerate stress. Handgrip strength decreases, making it more difficult to accomplish routine activities such as opening a jar or turning a key. Wrestling a bad guy or using fire fighting equipment. The heart muscle becomes less able to propel large quantities of blood quickly to the body. We tire more quickly and take longer to recover. The body's metabolic rate (how quickly the body converts food into energy) slows. This can lead to obesity and an increase in "bad" cholesterol levels. Junk science! So what if Pd and Fd lose strength, dexterity and the ability to pump blood as they get older, its not like their jobs are any more difficult than someone writing code or a realtor.

SIlas Barnabe   |March.13.2008 Unfortunately for Vallejo AMcan man we have a vallejo size debt that all the kings Walmarts and all the kings 99 cent stores can't make up again. $500,000 won't come close to $14,000,0000 we need and the garbage rate raid of $500,000 for roads for Abalone diving and tri-tip BBQ'ing has already made up for the losss in revenue for the old Wal Mart departrure.

Amcan Man   |March.13.2008 I was reading in my Napa newspaper today and the headline read "AmCan budget looking up". the article then quoted our Councilman Don Callison, "In my opinion Wal-Mart is a big contributer in keeping us above water" I know Wal-mart is not good enough for you Vallejo folks, so keep sending your shoppers up here. Thanks.

Firebug   |March.13.2008 Ah the hypocrisy of our safety unions, they want non-union revenues supporting union wages-Very good point On-fire

Firebug   |March.13.2008 Stupid move? According to the TH the firefighters union unanimously voted in support of this measure are you saying they are stupid?

On Fire   |March.13.2008 While we are on the subject of unions: I have to chuckle to myself when I read over and over again how people declare that "Vallejo is and will always be a union supporting, blue collar town." They go on about wanting to re-take Mare Island and put industry back on the island as a priority. Yet they all want a super walmart where they can shop? How does that work? The very store that they are clamoring over is one of the exact reasons the US has lost most of it's industry to other countries. Because consumers want "cheap" and the only way it can happen is to have the merchandise made in third world countries that have substandard working conditions and slave like wages with no union protection. Yet our city's unions that demand that their employees receive fair wages and safe working environments. They also want to have a Project Labor Agreement to have exclusive rights to building the store, even though the employees that work there won't be a part of or protected by any unions. It all appears to be so conflicted and makes no sense to me.

fire exp. 707   |March.13.2008 WOW... Some people need to open up thier eyes. Closing down Station 22 and 27 was a really stupid move. There is going to be slower arival times. The first in are not going to have backup as fast as normal. There is goin to be less coverage when there are two incidents at once. Buildings are going to burn down and people are going to get hurt.

Firebug   |March.13.2008 Absolutely Katy!Such insensitivity around these abuses and subsequent brushing under the table by our compromised mayor and bought council amounts to condoning corruption.

Katy Miessner   |March.13.2008 Thanks Firebug -- Like you said, UBL is newsworthy. If it weren't, the Chron wouldn't have reported it. UBL abusers have themselves to blame.

Vallejo Spectator 94590   |March.13.2008 VALLEJO INDEPENDENT BULLETIN ROCKS!!!! All you gents & germs are Awesome. Thanks for the information.

Curious   |March.13.2008 Why is it that Craig Whittom would recommend that the City fight any Bankrupcy outcome? Is it because it would reduce his fat pension? Why is he the head of the Redevelopment Agency that has been orchestrating the fiasco on Mare Island where whole plan was to put in place Guidelines to circumvent CEQA and allow wholesale demolition of a National Historic Landmark? Is it because a bunch of State Farm Buildings in place of those old brick shops built in the mid 1800's would pay his retirement checks forever??? Never mind about the loss of a national treasure and the City of Vallejo's soul. We gave that up years ago to the Fire Department.

Firebug   |March.13.2008 I read a "critic" of this site blog in particular of ADQ accuse this site of sending a press release to the CHronicle about the UBL! I had to laugh at some people that think this issue isn't newsworthy on its own right.

Central Vallejo   |March.13.2008 It was interesting on the ferry last night. A lot of people had printed out and were discussing the salary list the Chron had in yesterdays paper with other passengers. Apparently these people had no idea the kind of money being paid because there was a lot of shock and anger being expressed (at least from what I was overhearing )

Firebug   |March.13.2008 Couldn't help but notice also in the TH the letter to the editor ackowledging the passing up of experienced Council members in important city comissions. I guess even when we are broke there are political favors and paybacks that amount to something. I had to wonder about the "no left turn" at the redwood exit as the same thing thanking the autorow businesses for all their donations to the henkette cause.

Silas Barnabe   |March.13.2008 We live in an upside down topsy turvy city right now. I seem to remember less than twelve months ago a city that would take legal action to save substantial amounts of money. According to an article in the Times Herald this morning Craig Whitom said if an Orange County lawsuit that would render the pension payouts like the 2000 pension boondoggle here unconstitutional was successfull he would recommend litigation to fight the outcome. The outcome of the Orange County case coud save Vallejo an estimated $5,000,000! why on earth would anyone in their right mind want to do that?

Silas Barnabe   |March.13.2008 You can say that again On-fire I was accused of being Kurt Henke, it made my day to know I made impressions on 1186'ers.

On Fire   |March.12.2008 It was a busy day at the Chron today. Over 200 posts on the UBL story with by and large the majority commenting negatively about the abuse. Guess it's not just us who feel this way. There were also more comments expressing outrage regarding the over the top salaries than comments supporting the position of the unions. Maybe now with all eyes on Vallejo, other cities will take a look at their contracts with the ff unions (and police) and see what a racket the unions have going on all over the Bay Area. I'm sure it was a day of interestng reading for the henkettes.

On Fire   |March.12.2008 Well wazzy, you have posted your stmt on other posts today and maybe you should consider not yelling at the readers (ALL CAPS) if you want to have anyone to seriously consider your position. BTW, in case you didn't know, this town has been historically democrats but there have been people who belong to other parties that held council seats.

WAZ UP WIT DAT?   |March.12.2008 WAITING FOR RESPONSE...WHAT PARTY IS FILLING OUR CITY COUNCIL NOW? THE SAME PARTY THAT HAS OK'ED FIRE, POLICE AND CITY EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS!!! ITS TIME FOR CHANGE, SHALL WE TAKE A MORE CONSERVATIVE LOOK AT GIVING AWAY EVERYTHING IN A HAND BASKET? NOPE, I'M NOT A REPUBLICAN, JUST A CONCERNED "INDEPENDANT."

Shay58   |March.12.2008 Wow: The S.F. Chron story and the posts that followed are eye openers. Maybe now the T-H will take up its journalistic duties and start covering this story the way it should be covered.

SAL SOTAG   |March.12.2008 JUST CURIOUS. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE RECALL PETITIONS THAT WE WERE TO SIGN IF THE BLIND, GUTLESS FIVE FAILED TO VOTE FOR BANKRUPTSY? STILL WAITING ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS!!!!

G.Manicotti   |March.12.2008 More like things that make you go... Yippee ! About time !

Central Vallejo   |March.12.2008 I too noticed the TH's sudden interest in the other side of the story. Could it be the exposes in The Chronicle? The publicity received from the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and other publications. Could it be because suddenly there is a possibility of a recall in our fair city? Things that make you go hmmmmm.

On Fire   |March.12.2008 Boy oh boy, from the comments being posted on SFGate regarding today's story, there are many eyes on Vallejo and the IAFF boys. Funny that the majority of the posts seem to agree with some of the same opinions of Vallejoans. There are plenty that are beginning to put together the dots and see how this is going on not only in Vallejo but all over the Bay Area. Contrary to what the pro-union types have stated here in Vallejo, the common opinion is that we need to rein in the henke panky of our henkettes and they need to go. Wonder what the conversation is like at the ff.'s water cooler? Hmmm...

On Fire   |March.12.2008 Oh now the times horrid wants suggestions from the public? After years of preaching to us they now want to hear from us? Really? I think the overall readership has dropped and this is just another gimick to get people to buy the paper or go online so they can tell the businesses that they sell advertisement to that they have increased readers. Not buying it. The stories carried by the Chron should have been in the times horrid long ago. Now that another city's newpaper is covering Vallejo big time, the t-h is scrambling to have something worth reading as noted in the number of posts on their blogs. But wow, the Daily Scream is at an all time high. Good job all. Keep up the information stream and uncovering the dirt that's been hiding behind those closed doors.

Vallejo Heights   |March.12.2008 BTW, no criticism meant for the actual sheriff. It's a metaphor.

Vallejo Heights   |March.12.2008 Now that the Chronicle is all over this story, I find it very interesting that the T-H is suddenly printing a bunch of letters to the editor that are critical of the fire union. It's almost as though the T-H's coverage of this issue is suddenly under the scrutiny of their corporate bosses, wherever they are. It's about freaking time. I know it's too early to celebrate, but I get the feeling that Vallejo's life in a bad B-movie where the corrupt sheriff rules the town is about to change dramatically.

Firebug   |March.12.2008 Katy, John K, and Silas I remember that deal! I also remember Kenny Ross ,Rod Cornelius, Gary Mandarich, and Al DeSilva weren't the only players. As I recall Mr. Wilson then part owner of "Wilson Cornelius Ford" made the bold statement if we don;t get our humungous sign it will be a deal breaker and we will leave town. Mr. Wilson must have known something or been incredibly lucky as look at Ford and Chevy sales lately, didn't he sell out his interensts in Ford and stick with Toyota? All a bunch of interesting shenanigans when you think of it and now forcing traffic to goto Automall parkway all very very interesting vallejo good ole boy stuff. Will this ever end?

Anonymous   |March.12.2008 During the calendar year 2007, there were 292 City of Vallejo employees who had total gross wages of $100,000 or more. Find out who they were, what departments they worked for and how much they made by searching that database below. The data was provided by the City of Vallejo's Finance Department. City of Vallejo's $100K-plus Earners http://www.sfgate.com/webdb/vallejo/

Katy Miessner   |March.12.2008 Thanks John K for that reminder - back then, I asked that Jerry Davis recuse himself on that vote and Intintoli was sooo quick to say there was no conflict. I should have pursued it with the FPPC at the time... And Al DaSilva created an argument that this deal was good for Vallejo--I argued that the deal essentially allowed the automall dealers to be subsidized by the General Fund--and as I recall, he agreed with my analysis, and I still have my notes. Here's how the deal worked: -Team Ross pays Northgate(NG)Devl Fee to move up there (good for NG, not for the General Fund) -The move to NG is assumed to increase sales tax due to assumed increased car sales -90% of increased sales tax (which would have gone into the General Fund) goes back to Team Ross, until Kenny Ross is fully reimbursed for the NG fees he paid. And, he has 20 YEARS to create the add'l sales tax! -So for 20 years, VJO gets 10% of the sales tax, thanks, guys...compared to the 100% the City was getting sales tax from the old location... Its time to ask the City how this dealy-deal is working out for us!

John K   |March.12.2008 against the objections of the Sonoma Boulevard dealers and at a tight budget time, when the City is laying off union workers and cutting CBDG funds for community organizations. From vickigray dot org slash archives slash 000004 dot html

John K   |March.12.2008 OOPS... missed an apostrophe ...Enter Jack Wilson, Toyotas owner and Cornelius partner at Wilson-Cornelius Ford. Together, the boys cobble together the Auto Mall scheme, which will co-locate the Ford and Chevy dealerships with Wilsons Toyota operation. But they need a sweetener and ask the City Council to allow them to amortize $1.3 million in development fees over 20 years and hold back the bulk of sales taxes. On August 19, the Council approved the scheme unanimously

John K   |March.12.2008 Thanks, Robert. Apostrophes pulled, too. Edinator: please delete my extraneous posts. From Vicki Grays article of 11 May 2004: Council member Jerry Davis won re-election last fall. His campaign manager Glenn Cornelius is vice president of Wilson-Cornelius Ford, of which son Rod is co-owner and which, for decades has sought to move from its Georgia Street site. Kenny Ross, owner of Team Chevrolet and city hall hanger-on, has also wanted to move from cramped quarters on Redwood Parkway. Theres a huge parcel of land (the K-Mart eyesore only now being demolished) available on Sonoma Boulevards Auto Row. Do Wilson-Cornelius and Team Ross consider joining the dozen auto dealers there, thus adding to the synergy of that commercial corridor. Nope. Why not? Because Gary Mandarich has been having trouble filling his Northgate Business Park along Columbus Parkway, bought on spec and having attracted only Toyota Vallejo. Enter Jack Wilson, Toyota

Robert   |March.12.2008 John, remove all single and double quotes from your posts

Silas Barnabe   |March.12.2008 Excellent link Edinator, Wow if we had such a fire chief! I thought it was only about the money and mandatory staffing I guess that's vallejo is about. Speaking of more vallejo chutzpah, anyone remember an editorial by Vicki Gray that highlighted the great AutoMall tax giveaway back in 2005? I couldn't help but notice that when one exits off of Redwood heading towards Safeway you will be greated by a No Left Turn. You can no longer access the businesses left of Safety in between the Marine World exit. I couldn't help but notice how lucky the location of the new Automall will be as the number one choice exit of shoppers to accomplish their new detour is to exit at Marine World parkway. How convenient eh?

G. Manicotti   |March.12.2008 Nothing like a little (in) decent exposure The Emperor (s) has no clothes.

Katy Miessner   |March.11.2008 Thanks for the tip Sparky! The Chron's opener says it all: "While Vallejo's finances were plunging faster than a roller coaster at the Six Flags amusement park, the city's firefighters were going abalone diving, grilling tri-tip and drinking cocktails on the public's dime, records show" Maybe justice will prevail?

Sparky   |March.11.2008 OH MY!, The UBL Abuse has hit the SF Chronicle big time. Of course Hinky comes off sounding like the arrogant pig he is...love it, love it, love it!

Curious   |March.11.2008 Another example of Vallejo City staff's inability to understand the law of unintended consequences... The City has hired an auditor to go over the past four years of IRS tax returns for people who have City Business Licences to "catch" those that have might have under-reported their income and thus could be underpaying their City license fees. But the City doesn't have a hook into the people who don't have licenses...those that might babysit, sell one painting, fix your fence or deal drugs on the corners...unless they plan a "big brother" operation. So who is going to get a City Business License now???? Or is this a move to get the "creative and thinking" class that is making life difficult for the powers that be to give up and move out????? In any case, it will reduce City revenues, not increase them...

On Fire   |March.11.2008 Sore Throat, this is hilarious! Sign me up for the premier. Maybe you can sign James Moore up to handle the concession stand!

Sore Throat   |March.11.2008 HOW DO WE GET OUT OF BANKRUPTCY? BY PRODUCING AN OSCAR WINNING MOCKUMENTARY OR MUSICAL (Hit Songs include: "Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies" I was reflecting back on the sometimes wild and entertaining antics at City Council just one week ago and all of the sudden, out of no where, it hit me like a meteorite! We need a new TV show (or maybe just a mini-documentary) called something like: Reality Bites Vallejo! Here's how it works: different elected officials, local activists and city staff trade jobs for a month, we follow them around and film it. Remember Star Wars and then later, Hardware wars? It�s like that, only different. Ironically, I think the City could make a significant amount of money and possibly win an Oscar...and later win rights to a full length feature film. We'll hire David Corbett to write the script! Below is one possible cast of characters. Reality Bites Vallejo starring: * Mayor Osby Davis as the Editor and Chief of the VIB [Hmmmm, something tells me the content on this website would look entirely different!] * Councilmember Gomes as Mayor Gomes [I'm no rocket scientist, but something tells me that last week's staff recommendation to Council would have been entirely different than what was voted on!] * Councilmember Schively as Police Chief [Because we know she�s one of two elected Councilwomen who know how to kick some a_ _!] * City Manager Joe Tanner as Councilmember Tanner [come on, Joe, you know you always secretly wanted to run for office!?] * Assistant Fire Chief and IAFF President Kurt Henke as the Director of Finance [Because let's face it, some of our own elected officials have been courting the quasi-financial advisory capacity of the Fire Fighters Union anyway versus our own Director of Finance! And if that isn�t evidence enough, the Fortune 500 companies have been hiring Fire Fighters like crazy to be their CFOs! It's all the rage on Wall Street! NOT!] * Police Chief Nichelini and Fire Chief Russ Sherman as the Co-Directors of Human Resources [Because we need at least two directors in HR with all those early retirees in the Fire and Police Departments�.all that paperwork�] * VIB Editor Marc Garman as Assistant Fire Chief and IAFF President [Can't you just see Marc in a fire fighter's uniform?! Delicious!] * Director of Finance, Rob Stout as�a Fire Fighter! [Because every Firefighter knows that, when it comes to retirement, you should have at least one �numbers crunching guy� in your shop.] * Assistant City Manager, Craig Whittom as Councilmember Whittom [What better place for a rational and pragmatic executive than in the very messy and irrational arena of other people�s emotions and loads of politics that even Neo, the Matrix�s bad-ass, Kung Fu Master couldn�t fight his way out of?!] * Fire Captain Jon Riley as City Manager [Who better to barter a deal for the entire city and its residents than the Fire Fighter Union�s own �Peace Maker�, himself. Here�s your chance, Jon!] * Ageing Disco Queen and Budget Expert Katy Meissner as Assistant City Manager [Wow, I�ll bet our Draft Emergency Fiscal Plan (DEFP) would have looked dramatically different if the Queen was in charge!] * Councilmember Sunga as the Director of Development Services [Because the Councilmember has already shown us his �extensive knowledge� of long range land use planning and development. Yikes!] * Councilmember Bartee as the Code Enforcement Manager [Geeee, I wonder what it would be like to have to cite yourself for code violations? Ouch!] * Councilmember Wilson�.Unable to caste due to too many recusals. * Councilmember Hannigan�Unable to caste due to too many mute points [simply put: she just doesn�t say much about much of anything.] �.As they say in politics�.THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL LIST�.

Anonymous   |March.11.2008 Police OK labor deal with city Officials to meet with mediator in hopes of avoiding bankruptcy By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer Article Launched: 03/11/2008 06:49:10 AM PDT http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_8531956 "Veteran Palo Alto negotiator Kagel is the son of Sam Kagel who served on an arbitration panel for the landmark 1975 Vallejo Fire Department case that went to the California Supreme Court and established minimum staffing." ************************** TWO WORDS: NEPOTISM AND CRONYISM

Sharpie   |March.11.2008 I think you mean Soar Throat for those lofty ideas. I'd rather see a 60 minutes piece on the entire mismanagement of a city, and the salary background and methods of the entire bay area for public safety.

Glass half Full   |March.10.2008 I believe that the City's police dept. doesn't have to hire only experienced police officers. The police dept. has the ability to hire those who have sent themselves through a state mandated police academy. And those individuals could start at a much lower pay rate than experienced officers. If I'm correct, the police dept. has a Field Training Officer Program in place. This program does the "on-the-job-training" I think that Oakland has a large number of vacanies because who in their right mind wants to work in a city with one of the highest crime/murder rates in the State.

WAZ UP WIT DAT?   |March.10.2008 WHAT POLICTICAL PARTY HAS BEEN SELLING OUT VALLEJO'S CITIZENS FOR THE PAST THIRTY YEARS? BY MY ACCOUNT THE DEM'S HAVE RUN THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PAST 20-30 YEARS. EVERYONE KNOWS OF THE LOVE-FEST BETWEEN THE DEM'S AND UNIONS! DOES OUR LONG TERM CONGRESSMAN (SINCE 1975) GEORGE MILLER BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR VALLEJO'S DEPRESSION ERA STANDING?

On Fire   |March.10.2008 A story from the Chronicle that has a 'journalistic' flair that is always missing from our own times-horrid news. I have to wonder why this story (and many others that are similar) has never appeared in Vallejo's paper? Maybe because the the t-h would rather run their angle on the issues and continue to preach to the citizen's about how they should think and act? In any case, it's interesting that the henkettes and some Vallejo residents have been in denial that our ff's salaries have been one of the highest in the area. Well apparently henke 'fessed up to the Chronicle and this is what we have been saying all along. "Union president Kurt Henke, a tenacious assistant chief who was once fired and then rehired and later sued a batch of city officials for slandering him, acknowledged that his members once made 15 percent more than counterparts in the Bay Area and now earn perhaps 10 percent more. Vallejo's base pay for firefighters is more than $80,000 a year. Last year, 21 of them topped $200,000 in salary and overtime, according to city payroll records. The city has stumbled repeatedly in dealing with the union, interviews and records show. For example, the city has matched the average percentage of firefighter raises in other Bay Area departments, which boosts Vallejo's salaries because its firefighters are paid more to begin with. "You do that for 20 years, and here you are," said acting finance director Susan Mayer, who said the city had not taken a survey of other fire departments' salaries in real dollars since the 1980s."

Admin   |March.10.2008 :!: Moved posts to March... Gang, avoid the long URLs if at all possible. It throws off the layout as you've no doubt witnessed yesterday and today. Also just as an information item, if I break up a long URL and save again it publishes as a new post. So Silas gets a rerun. Take the space out of the long URL to reach the site referenced. Unfortunately with Open Source you sometimes get what you pay for.. MH

VIB monitor   |March.10.2008 :?: The last 8 posts are under Feb. 2008 and not March. I know it's confusing with the time change and all but this is still March. :idea:

Retired at 33   |March.10.2008 I've moved to greener pastures & don't work for the State anymore, but do live in Vallejo.

VJO   |March.10.2008 Tanner is meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) with the Chief of CalFire for another run at contracting the fire department. CalFire for obvious reasons wants nothing to do with Vallejo. However, if Vallejo files bankruptcy and declares a public safety emergency, CalFire may be obligated to pick up the pieces. Stay tuned.

SIlas Barnabe   |March.10.2008 Ah so Silent but deadly is stinger on the chronicle blog.

Osbys Neighbor   |March.10.2008 In speaking to our Chief of Police he said that the reason starting salries are so high is that Vallejo will only hire individuals with experience--the City can't afford a training program. He claims that the large number of vacancies in Oakland etc is because every City in the Bay Area is looking for experienced law enforcement officers. Does anyone know what other Cities are doing--whatever happened to on the job training?

silent, but deadly   |March.10.2008 that last anonymous response was from me...sorry!!

Anonymous   |March.10.2008 Silas, The City of Vallejo managment has chosen not to excpet any new corporations or businesses so don't worry. The managment is still living in the past and thats where your city will always be is in the "PAST". You need to bring corporation and businesses ($$$$$) to this city. Wether you give the $$$ to public safety or whatever your city managment does with the $$$$, you still need to keep up with the times. If you don't stay up with the times then you will find your city in the situation that it is in now and will be in for a long time. Cut your salaries/benifits back as far as you want to, but just remember you all will get what you pay for. It won't be long now and the cities and counties around v-town will be paying more and getting better qualified people. Just remember when you call for public safety, don't whine and cry if your response times take hours or days? This is what you all wanted so now as of March 01, 2008....you got it. Just call and leave your message and wait for a return phone call. Police and Fire... Just keep reading these articles and you will know how a lot of your citizens really feel about you. I sugggest next time you pull someone over...take a zero tolerance......arrest or cite the individual and give these citizen's there monies worth whenever possible. Don't cut them any brakes....work hard for your money and keep your city safe and make every law breaker responsible for their actions. Won't take long then before they really start crying about the way you are doing your job. Keep up the good work because there are a few of us who really appreicate what you do and I perosnally don't care how much they raise my taxes as long as it helps keep my streets safe. God bless the VFD and VPD!! Retired at 33? If you are a state trooper then you sure don't work in the city of Vallejo. Enjoy your croissant and Latte...:-) I will commend you for your volunteer work though. Keep up the good work!!

Hello! Not retired at 33   |March.10.2008 Mr. deadly, I'm sorry you're not an over achiever...been there, done that & let's move on please. Get it right! It was a croissant with a Latte Donuts are for PD, not State Troopers! Just so you know, I'm helping the City in other ways such as volunteering my time with local organizations.

Firebug   |March.10.2008 They obviously haven't researched Vallejo's more successfull neighbors general fund amounts, they would find vallejo's to be proportionately higher. If only they would refer to the excellent prsentation of J.D. Miller.

Anonymous   |March.10.2008 A closer look at Vallejo's woes Demian Bulwa,Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writers Monday, March 10, 2008 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/10/MNFKVEV4L.DTL Key factors blamed for Vallejo's financial troubles: -- The city's failure to reinvent itself economically after the decommissioning of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1996. -- Ballooning public safety salaries and benefits. -- The collapse in the housing market and the broader economic downturn. -- Management failures.

Anonymous   |March.10.2008 "Watching the Orchard" related "Now those of us with a brain understand that it is illegal for public safety to disregard a mandatory order of overtime by saying "gee can't do that. (same reason they aren't allowed to strike) And for those that don't understand, well, you must claim stupidity, and you can't fix stupid" He must be calling all of us stupid, but can't smell his/her own stinch! You sound arrogant, ignorant & well stupid! Can someone fix this rotten fruit, I would not want to make him a new one.

silent, but deadly   |March.10.2008 opps....GLAZED....

silent, but deadly   |March.10.2008 hey retired cop....how about you and all the other retired cops give up 6.5 % to help the city??? You to benefited from the unions...go have a galzed dounut and a cup of coffee and relax...and enjoy your retirement..

Anonymous   |March.10.2008 Tanner is meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) with the Chief of CalFire for another run at contracting the fire department. CalFire for obvious reasons wants nothing to do with Vallejo. However, if Vallejo files bankruptcy and declares a public safety emergency, CalFire may be obligated to pick up the pieces. Stay tuned.

Enquirer   |March.10.2008 The VFD needs a reality check! I really believe they have no idea what people in the private sector earn, and what benefits they receive (if they do have an idea, they just dont care.) It is the City of Vallejo's fault for advancing pay and benefits as they have over the past 15 years, and the VFD bargaining unit for asking for outrageous items. When Mare Island was in the swing, money flowed through VAllejo like a river, no problem meeting the demands of both Fire and Police, lots of money floating around. Once Mare Island was gone, there should have been a reality check. Both Vallejo and the VFD have accountants and financial mucky-mucks, hey the writing was on the wall. No one could figure this out? No one wanted to have to drive the "hard bargain" and be the bad guy. The City did not want to "drop the hammer" and Henke didnt want to go from "Hero to Zero" by making concessions!

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.10.2008 Henke has worked very hard over the years to keep the wages and benefits of VFD extreamly high (even to the point of the ridiculous it seems.) Vallejo VFD contracts are used as the "bargaining tool" for other cities and counties. Dont forget part of the UBL time was spent doing Union Business in other cites/counties. How would it look if the "golden calf" of bargaining were to have to come to the slaughter? No more bargaining tool. I have a good source in Sonoma County (I wont mention the city) that says they have been using Vallejo Fire contracts for years to show how they deserve more. It has always surprised this fire fighter that a more affluent wine country city would have to use the contracts of a less affluent city like VAllejo for bargaining. Henke is going to fight to keep the contracts as they are, no pay cuts accross the board, just get rid of a few fire stations and the fire fighters that work in them, no need to save any bodies job by taking an accross the board pay cut. Keep the contracts high!!!

WaR   |March.09.2008 I'm still waiting for the other firefighter boot to drop... cause, I PROMISE... IT'S GONNA HAPPEN REAL SOON!!!! THEY'RE COOKIN UP SOMETHING AS WE ALL SLEEP!...JUST GIVE THEM ANOTHER 5 or 6 DAYS... YOU'LL SEE!!!!

On Fire   |March.09.2008 And they also provide emergency medical services: Beyond its wildland fire fighting role, CAL FIRE answers the call more than 300,000 times for other emergencies each year. It may very well be a CAL FIRE engine and crew that is dispatched to the scene of an auto accident, or to a home where a child has become the victim of a drowning incident. The Department is always ready to respond - medical aids; hazardous material spills; swiftwater rescues; search and rescue missions; civil disturbances; train wrecks; floods, earthquakes and more. There are so many options open to Vallejo and we can only hope that the negotiations bring some of these ideas to the table as a means to save Vallejo money.

On Fire   |March.09.2008 From CAL FIRE: "The OSFM, State Fire Training, and CAL FIRE Academy programs provide training education and certification programs for the California Fire Service. Through practical training exercises and classroom courses, every California firefighter is exposed to training standards that have been approved by CAL FIRE and OSFM, each among the best institutions in the nation for fire training education. Offering more than 1,000 classes annually, State Fire Training programs reach over 24,000 students each year and have issued over 100,000 certifications to members of the more than 900 fire California fire departments. Each year over 2,000 personnel attend the CAL FIRE Academy in Ione, California participating in courses ranging from basic fire control and arson investigation, to leadership development and forest practice enforcement." Kind of de-bunks the position taken by some that the Cal. fire employees don't know how to deal with structural fires and wouldn't be suitable for Vallejo. It appears that they are "among the best institutions in the nation" for fire training.

On Fire   |March.09.2008 And MissMarvelous, I'm sure you are aware that the f.f's in Fairfield are in the same union as Vallejo, yet you don't hear henke or riley making comments about how those employees are not as qualified or educated, even though they make less money. We have a great nursing program at Solano Community College as well as medical students at Touro that may do well as reserve f.f.'s that could help the EMT's. I have to wonder why the henkettes have yet to offer up this type of program as a cost cutting measure?

On Fire   |March.09.2008 I think it's amusing that someone who accuses others of being stupid would then turn around and make the assumption that they are the only one that figured out that the employees "couldn't just walk off the job". I don't think that anyone has taken such a simplistic view of the situation. What is clear however, is the fact that lower salaries means more money to hire more emloyees, thus cutting down the need for overtime. (That and cutting out excessive UBL'ing that totally impacts the hours of overtime.)And this is the point that many have been trying to make. "in the orchards" should maybe climb down from that high perch in that cherry tree and try to acknowledge that if one sour grape cost a dollar each, then the bunch would be unaffordable. But by charging less per grape, you get a bigger bunch. Sorry, couldn't help the produce analogy, but it sounds like "orchard" has had one too many sour lemons.

Contra Costa friend   |March.09.2008 Enquirer, Just thought you'd like to know, Pleasant Hill doesn't contract out it's fire service, Contra Costa Consolidated Fire handles the greater portion of Contra Costa County. As for Tanner, he resigned as City Manager 9 months before his contract was up. Apparently he signed a contract and was dealing with developers without full City Council consent. The poop hit the fan, and he resigned, Pleasant Hill had to cough over 9 months salary and benefits. Tanner did some good, but not all good, watch out for him.

watching the orchard   |March.09.2008 excuse me, "ust" should be must, for those that caught the mistake.

watching the orchard   |March.09.2008 In view of the fact God limited the intelligence of man, it seems unfair that he did not also limit his stupidity -- K. Adenaur For a website that has tried to bring forth the truth, I have never in my 50 years of living been entertained by such cherry picking of information. If you are going to post salaries then you need to post the mandatories hours of overtime that these salaries resulted from. Or as the VIBers would have wanted, should the employees have "just gone home" and left those staffing slots open for that shift? Now those of us with a brain understand that it is illegal for public safety to disregard a mandatory order of overtime by saying "gee can't do that. (same reason they aren't allowed to strike) And for those that don't understand, well, you ust claim stupidity, and you can't fix stupid.

MISSMARVELOUS   |March.09.2008 "ON FIRE" IS "RIGHT ON" IN HIS/HER DETAILS OF HOW THE FAIRFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATES WITH RESERVE FIRE FIGHTERS. THIS MUST ALSO PROMOTE THE HIRING OF MORE IN CITY FIRE STAFF SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE LOCAL FIRE RESERVES MAY END UP AS CAREER FIRE FIGHTERS. REMEMBER WHAT J.D. MILLER SAID, IF VALLEJO ADOPTED THE CONTRACT OF THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD, IT COULD SOLVE OUR MONEY TROUBLES. I AM SURE THAT THE VFD WOULD FIGHT ANY RESERVE HELP THAT MIGHT BE OFFERED, AFTER ALL WHAT IF IT ACTUALLY WORKED(AND THE BABIES AND OLD PEOPLE DIDNT DIE?)

VIB Blogers   |March.09.2008 There is so much information to absorb & learn around here. Because of this, I don't post to argue, as many do a great job to clear up things around here! This site only confirms, Vallejo has some great minds & intellect.

cov employee   |March.09.2008 COV staff knows exactly what's happening. We cringe in horror. Expect this: another 2 month solution after this one is "up". And another one after that, as we slowly sell pieces of the city until nothing and no one is left. Organize now to effect change or expect a slow, gruesome slide into insolvency. Other than Tanner (who was smart enough to have a 1 year cushion written into his contract)NO ONE has the job security at city hall to go against the safety union's wishes, so that ANY change to the status quo must come from the outside, by the voters. Now's the time brothers and sisters, if not you, who? if not now, when? Vallejo reminds me of this friend I had. She was cute, but has so little self worth that she would go with any guy who would spend any attention on her. She went like that, from guy to guy, never getting married, never thinking she was worth it. No one ever rescued her, and she didn't understand that she needed to rescue herself. Vallejo needs to dust herself off and rescue herself. Stop giving away the assets and show a little self respect. The Safety Union "suitors" are not the right fit, and we need to move on. We need a little intervention. Who's going to schedule it and when is the recall meeting?

Curious   |March.09.2008 Does anyone in City Hall understand the rule of unintended consequences??? When you raise water rates, people stop watering their yards. Revenues go down, not up. When you raise transit fees, people stop riding. Revenues go down, not up. When you raise permit fees, people don't get permits or stop working on their houses. Revenues go down, not up. When you add fees on top of fees to any business trying to locate here, they won't locate here. Revenues go down, not up. It is not rocket science....

Little Old Lady   |March.09.2008 Anon, there are 100's of people volunteering to serve this community for no other reason that they live here and care enough to step up. Just think what they could do with all the time they spend trying to stop the Redevelopment/Safety Union juggernaut. Imagine! Highly functioning, altruistic people are not motivated by money. But they are motivated by results. When City staff holds charade meetings to provide an illusion of public process but the community's wants, needs and dreams are repeatedly thrown in the trash, that is the real demotivator.

Silas Barnabe   |March.10.2008 URL broken up by admin - The only means of income Davis has now (since he made his deal or act of total surrender to the safety unions)is to raise fees. He knows there is no way he can ever get the 67 percent majority he needs to pass a tax. I have been scouring the city charter to see what kind of fees he can impose with only a council majority.Raising fees will be a tightrope for Davis if Cloutier is successfull in forcing another election. I am also studying prop 218 trying to see what possible ways he has to raise feed without the 2/3 majority. http://www.lao.ca.gov/1996/120196_prop_218/understanding_prop218_1296 I also found this old article and it reminds me of what is happening here today. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/EDITORIAL+ :+PROP.+218+SUBTERFUGE%3B+HOLD+ON+TO+YOUR+WALLETS:+THE+CITY...-a083604546

Anonymous   |March.09.2008 Vallejo council considers more transit fare hikes - Vallejo Times Herald Members may also authorize staff to bring back fuel surcharge By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer Article Launched: 03/09/2008 08:393 AM PDT http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_8513091 ************************************************ Vallejo Citizens have a voice in the transportation decisions, NOT just the Vallejo City Council. Please find the time to attend the next meeting of the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), where transit fare hikes and declining ridership are definitely on the agenda...... WHAT: Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) WHEN: March 24th, 2008 (Monday), 6:30PM-80PM WHERE: Joseph Room, JFK Library, Vallejo 94590

Firebug   |March.09.2008 NBR, WOW, interesting (vallejonews), and others. Glad to see the obfuscation and out and out pointless distractions around facts are still tactics in your fishing expeditions.

On Fire   |March.08.2008 There goes that clown thing again. But good try. Points deducted for not getting it right though.

WOW   |March.08.2008 On Fire, I did read it, you gave me "points". Maybe you should read your post again. Once again you are conflicted. Now with your own words...thanks for making my point. You can't give me "points" and say my words are a waste. Think about it and change the rules as they fit your position (don't worry if they don't include the need for facts).

On Fire   |March.08.2008 And you don't read the details. I said attempt at humor. Like the clown that just can't get those ballons in the right shapes but you smile at them anyway when they hand them to you!

WOW   |March.08.2008 On Fire, I'm hurt. How can you give me points for humor and brand me WasteOfWords(that was was funny. However, it's an example of your conflicted mindset. You only choose to accept the facts that supoort your narrrow view of things.

Lemon Drop   |March.08.2008 I say getting the signatures for binding arbitration on the ballot #1 and recall # 2 - simultaneously. Hammigam & Sunga are two lame ducks. But then again the piggishness of Bartee is delightful and a noose around that goose is just a ripe opportunity begging for action. Wilson is such an intersection of screwed up and clueless that maybe he should be first...so many choices!

On Fire   |March.08.2008 WasteOfWords, in your dreams. Why would we recall the only two that read and understand their council packets? As noted by past council meetings, the funded four sit with blank stares and haven't even participated in one of the most important decisions facing Vallejo. I think hannigan reading her prepared statement was the most she contributed since she has been seated. Remember, she's the straight talking one with the innovative ideas? Not much more from Wilson either. The other two have put the B into bought. But we can give you points for your attempt at humor.

On Fire   |March.08.2008 :idea: From Fairfield: Currently, the Fairfield Fire Department provides fire and life safety services from five fire stations located throughout our community. Each station is staffed with a minimum of three full time career firefighters. The full time career firefighters are supported by reserve firefighters as needed to meet service demands. Reserve firefighters are assigned to a shift and fill the fourth seat on the on-duty engines. The Central Fire Station, located at 1633 Union, houses our reserve apparatus used in support emergency operations. Our reserve firefighters come from all walks of life. Many are new residents looking for a way to become involved in their community. Some are longtime area residents who have been involved in the community for years! Others are men and women looking for a career in the fire services. You may be surprised to learn that these reserve firefighters are management analysts, students, real estate agents, paramedics, homemakers, business managers, truck drivers, computer programmers, and almost any other profession you can think of. All play an important role in delivering emergency services to the citizens of our community. Reserve firefighters are assigned to a shift and are trained and mentored by full time career firefighters. When not in an "on duty" status, they respond to the central fire station to support emergency operations. :!: Now this is something that should be on the table with the negotiators. Many of these reserve firefighters are hired to the regular dept. This could be a way of intitating a two tier salary scale with new employees coming on. This could also work with the EMTs using the smaller trucks and saving the wear and tear on the fire trucks, and not pulling the fire fighters out on medical calls, only to sit idle while the EMTs and ambulance work. In cities like NY and Chicago they use the smaller truck that takes the place of the ambulance. They share the fire stations and we could hire more, by paying a different pay scale for EMTs. We also wouldn't have to pay the cost for training them in fire fighting. Better trained EMTs can eliminate the contracts with the Solano County ambulance company.

WOW   |March.08.2008 On Fire, Slow down. I don't think it's quite time to recall Gomes and Shivley...just yet anyway. In spite of their desire to have the city declare BK, it hasn't happened yet. So let's wait and see if they are successful in rushing the city into BK. The Federal Judge will rule the MOU's must be upheld (since it is clearly just a union breaking tactic)and then us VIB folks can start a recall.

On Fire   |March.08.2008 Does anyone know if we mount a recall for two or more council members, would that trigger a new election or would they simply appoint someone that ran in the last election? What is the threshold for election verses appointment? I suppose if only one person was recalled than they could simply appoint. But it you had more than one, it would seem to have to be the choice of the voting public as to who would be in line for the seats? I think there should be a serious discussion on recall, but I also think another important move is to put "binding arbitration" on the ballot. I recall the mayor taking the position while he was running that binding arbitration was a problem. But we know it won't come out of his mouth while he's on his negotiation mission. We have seen him flip flop in just the last three months so there is no telling what to expect from him. If he has aspirations for a second term, he will be looking for union support. My thought is that we should start with binding arbitration as it would take the community coming together and working to get the signatures in a limited amount of time to try and get it on the Nov. ballot. This would be a larger turnout since it's the presidental election and we have more people that will be voting. The recall issue may be re-fueled depending on what happens by the end of April. If the mayor continues down this path of dictatorship and inserting himself into the negotiations, we may need to do both, recall and placing binding arbitration on the ballot. If the mayor is intent on becoming a dictator, the funded four appear to be more than willing to let him take charge. I would think that if they are able to pull that rabbit out of "Marc's" hat and keep from going into bankruptcy this fiscal year, the mayor's ego will expand and then he could feel free to make agreements with the revised safety contracts that will have the city hog tied for well past 2011. So anyone know the answers?

Smacky   |March.08.2008 Oooooh, love that I got your (old) goat! If you are referencing Mare Island to Medusa and Riley, well let's just say he liked to portray the martyred volunteer doing good works (LIES). Many from that bygone era (let's see, when there was scrutiny over his practices and he couldn't charge his time to the taxpayers he stopped participation) knew that he was in it for attention. Myself and many others who post here have created places and events that have brought much to this community. To even suggest that his paid-for "contribution" is on par is an insult. And yes, those two sloth did quite a lot partying and sleeping on my dime. Don'tcha think you better conceed that you are in a losing battle re: the obscene wasting of public funds by two dunderheads? Oh, unless you are one of them :o) So generous of you with your comments on the fairer sex.

NBR   |March.08.2008 "Why don't you bark up another tree with one of your other foolish arguments such as liberals are the reason the country is in such a sorry state it's in or women shouldn't have the right to vote." I don't think the country is in a "sorry state" and I support a woman's right to vote. Hell, if they pass the requirements, they belong in the space shuttle as mission commander and the most advanced bombers and fighters the Air Force has (last of the really big all-male clubs).

NBR   |March.08.2008 "Stop wasting space trying to spin the obscene waste of my money by some greedy tools on so-called community events. They drank, slept, and jived their way through $200,000 of our monies then wasted an additional $100,000 in back fill." Fair enough. Stop wasting space trying to spin the obscene argument they drank, slept and jived their way through $200,000 with an additional $100,000 back fill. I have been to one of the so-called community events. I paid a lot for the meal (all proceeds towards community (ie GVRD)) and the attendees (community) spent a lot of $ on donated items for auction (all proceeds to non profits). Seemed like a "community event" as 99% of the attendees were from the Vallejo community. The whole thing to produce must have taken at least 100x more hrs than graffiti cleaning (which is a noble endeavor in itself). However, $300,000 (OT+backfill) could not have been spent on a single night fund raiser. If you have the records to prove me wrong, show them.

Smacky   |March.08.2008 Hey NBR, if your intent is to annoy, I must compliment you. The definition for Volunteer that is a standard in this language (don't know what country you come from) and most closely resembles: a person who performs a service willingly and without pay. Stop wasting space trying to spin the obscene waste of my money by some greedy tools on so-called community events. They drank, slept, and jived their way through $200,000 of our monies then wasted an additional $100,000 in back fill. There is no justification in this world for the crap they pulled - period. Why don't you bark up another tree with one of your other foolish arguments such as liberals are the reason the country is in such a sorry state it's in or women shouldn't have the right to vote. Maybe you'll get farther with those themes. Now, someone asked a really good question, when does the recall start? Also, let's jump on getting binding arbitration on the books for November!

Anonymous   |March.08.2008 Usually when the matter is a conflict of Interest or a delicate issue, as such matters, the D.A's office will refer the case to the Grand Jury for investication.� If the Grand Jury says, "hey, there's enough evidence to file an Indictment." The D.A.s office will then file the Indictment and proceed further with the criminal hearings. THE GRAND JURY HAS A LOT OF POWER TO EFFECT CHANGE!� It has happened. take my word.

RdP   |March.08.2008 I'm not sure any city in Contra Costa County has their own fire dept...that wasn't Joe Tanner's doing. Their County's fire dept is called Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District. We should study that and implement it for Solano County - save all cities some money. As to the union business leave - I've said before that my state employees union can only accept leave that is donated by union members...let them pay for their own union officials' work - maybe their members will put a stop to those abalone dives. It just seems so wrong for the City to pay them 500 hrs...beyond the fact that we just don't have the money. That should be negotiated OUT of their contracts. You know, I don't think folks are laughing at our bankruptcy issue here...I think they're reading about how many PERKS the public safety unions have here, and laughing at the nonsensical City Councils we've had, who allowed this in the first place. When do we start working on recalls? You know, if only our Council would turn Joe Tanner loose, we would be so much better off. What makes them think they know more than the City Manager anyway? Far too much posturing up there and I am in total agreement that Mayor Davis' involvement in negotiations causes too much discomfort. I don't think he's going to bring about togetherness with the 'negotiating skills' shown thus far.

Anonymous   |March.08.2008 If Vallejo is going to have these various citizen committees, they need to PAY the citizens for their participation. Otherwise, there's no incentive for Vallejo citizens to participate, period!!!

Little Old Lady   |March.08.2008 Vallejo has been dependant on volunteers for years to make up the difference between necessary community services and the available city budget after the pillaging. For example, the City panders to developers...any developer proposing any type of development no matter how distructive or illegal...because they desperately need the revenues to pay the protection racketeers. Then good citizens spend hours and hours for free on committees, commissions and activist groups to make sure that the community...not the non-resident few...actually benefits. Some of those EIR's were scandaleously flawed and never should have gotten released by City staff. So who steps up, carefully reads the whole inches thick documents, writes comments and then takes the necessary legal action when the City Council listens to staff and approves a disasterous plan...volunteers, that's who. Bless them!!!!!

Wicked   |March.08.2008 Not true NBR. The end does NOT always justify the means. BTW, why is the Moreno Vallejo FD (union) partnering with a NON union Giant?? If the ends are a bankrupt city then it is not justified. Plenty of people find the time to donate their time without pay, I'm sure the FD could do the same. Or how about the VFD taking less salary and putting donating that money to after school programs or other charities. Much better than a meager $200 shopping spree.

Walmart   |March.08.2008 The end justifies the means. The perception of volunteerism is more important than your motives.

Wicked   |March.08.2008 I'm not one you should talk to about Wal Mart. The children they have exploited in other countries, the unfair and unethical treatment of their employees and the damage they do all over the world FAR outweighs the $200 shopping spree's they may have given to a few children. In my opinion. I think Wal Mart is a cancerous growth on our society.

nbr   |March.08.2008 Wicked. I don't see anything wrong with any of your definitions. I don't see any contradictions between the ones you presented and mine. I get the feeling that Ms. Miessner and others (yourself included) feel the appearance of an altruistic effort is more important than the result. Cleaning graffiti is of more value than a $10,000 donation (The act by which the owner of a thing, voluntarily transfers the title and possession of the same, from himself to another person, without any consideration; a gift) to a non-profit. Before Walmart moved to Amcan it donated (is donation possible from the largest retailer in the world) to a LL team an entire team uniform allotment. Is that of almost no value because of the size of Walmart? Fireman in Moreno Valley had a partnership with the local Walmart (paid on duty coupled with the largest retailer in the world) to have 33 kids enjoy a $200 ea shopping spree. That must have counted for nothing in your eyes. I get the opinion that you believe the perceived effort is more important than the actual community benefit.

Wicked   |March.08.2008 :?: :?: :?: 1. a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking. 2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay. 3. Military. a person who enters the service voluntarily rather than through conscription or draft, esp. for special or temporary service rather than as a member of the regular or permanent army.

Wicked   |March.08.2008 Hmmm, I'll try one more time vol�un�teer

Wicked   |March.08.2008 vol�un�teer /

Wicked   |March.08.2008 Here are some more definitions you might have left out NBR. vol�un�teer /

question lady   |March.08.2008 The grand jury has little power to effect change. While the local prosecuting authorities might technically have the power to prosecute the UBL violation, they won't because the City Attorney is an appointed position (and may be removed by the fab five unless he keeps in step) while the District Attorney is an elected official (who also gets contributions from the Public Safety sector). We need an election to amend the charter, a recall, or an outside prosecution or all of the above. I promise you this: nothing will change unless you change it.

Firebug   |March.08.2008 Some old NBR, just check out vallejonews.com all been said before.

On Fire   |March.08.2008 NBR, I think we have got to the place where there is no point in arguing the merits of "volunteerism" on this issue. The value of one's contribution to being charitable when only motivated by compensation is not considered charity. I believe that some members of the unions only participated to give the appearance of "caring". If UBL using the city donated hours is no longer available for participating in "charitable" events, and the henkettes continue to participate otherwise using their own donated hours and not impacting the budget by overtime then it can be evaluated on it's merits. When and if that ever occurs. You obviously have your opinion and let's just agree to disagree and move on. I for one don't think we should take any more time to entertain nbr as his arguements are pointless and nonsense. (volunteer vs military service) nbr, we will look forward to seeing a more productive conversation from you on this post or maybe you should stay with the times horrid as they seem more suited to dribble.

nbr   |March.08.2008 Silas, I don't agree with your opinion, but this is America and we can both thank the soldier for allowing us to express it. What about part #2? ... "The one receiving the service/transaction should be asked to contribute to evaluating how beneficial the gift they received is."

Silas Barnabe   |March.08.2008 So much obfuscation over volunteer and charity, this resembles the frank discussions justifying the outrageous salaries vallejo pays its employees the super majority of which are safety. A soldier volunteers their service with the knowledge they are to be compensated, a very honorable deed. Volunteering for a dunk tank with the knowledge that you would be conpensated isn't even close to volunteering for military service in fact getting compensated for such volunteering is dishonorable.

nbr   |March.08.2008 volunteer: a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service: as a: one who enters into military service voluntarily. (1): one who renders a service or takes part in a transaction while having no legal concern or interest (2): one who receives a conveyance or transfer of property without giving valuable consideration. It appears to me that the 'hang up' in this discussion is if someone is receiving a salary, regardless of why the salary is paid, can they be considered "volunteering" during that period? I would assume that Ms. Miesnner believes as soon as a soldier cashes their first check they are no longer in volunteer service to their country? If (1) definition (notice compensation or pay is not involved) is accurate then the benefit of volunteerism should be judged by the cost v. the benefit. The one receiving the service/transaction should be asked to contribute to evaluating how beneficial the gift they received is. If the benefit is minimal or zero, then the volunteer act (on salaried time or not) could be a waste of otherwise valuable time. But then ... one can always try to redefine "volunteerism" to fit their purpose?

Enquirer   |March.08.2008 I could see why the VFD would want to be paid for charity work, usually volunteer work/charity work is done in your own community, and one would do it to assist their community. If you dont live in a community, your kids dont attend school in the community, your wife doesent have her "do" done at the local salon etc YOU PROBABLY DONT CARE ALL THAT MUCH AND DONT WANT TO USE YOUR SPARE TIME VOLUNETEERING IN A "STRANGE COUNTRY." We need more fire and police living in Vallejo, it will not change until that happens, they have no personal tie to our community, and dont get the "fuzzy feelings" we all get from volunteer work. :!:

Smack!   |March.07.2008 "A child's undergarment consisting of short pants and a shirt that buttoned together at the waist" and "to act or speak with affected elegance" And I think you meant to say high-larious, right Jon?

anonymous   |March.07.2008 Panty waist mincers! Now that's helarious... ha,ha,ha!

Smacky   |March.07.2008 "According to Deputy Sherman at the council meeting the other night, that has been addressed and fixed." Until Hinke gets his way getting Sherman out so the fox can guard the henhouse, suck off the city even more and reap all the financial rewards. Over my dead body! All of you defending - or at east attempting to - the UBL debacle, sound like such panty waist mincers. That's not volunteerism, that's sucking on the system playing martyr. Jon "who needs to buy a clue to where the handle is on the closet he is stuck in" Riley is one of the biggest succubusses of all time time in this town. I cannot tell you the number of people who have said to me that they used to really like and respect Riley. They just can't understand why he would screw the city like he has. So many won't even talk with him anymore they are disgusted by what he has done (and not taken responsibility for).

J.M   |March.07.2008 Good point Katy! On another note...I would like to thank City Of Vallejo, Public Works Director, manager or supervisor(sorry not sure)for meeting with the Vallejo Flemming Subdivision neighborhood association yesterday. He has been "volunteering" his time to many different organizations around Vallejo for many years. Special thanks to Joanne Schievly for taking the time to support this great cause on her own time as well.

Katy Miessner   |March.07.2008 As someone who has been committed to volunteerism all my life, I find the excuses made here for abuse of UBL pretty sickening, especially the ones that attempt to justify diving for abalone. I could list the myriad of volunteer activities I have done all my life but I find the "tooting of ones own horn" a turnoff as well, so I won't list. I'll at least say that I immediately signed up for the anti-grafitti team and didn't see any of the usual 1186 gang out there on Saturday am or on Monday for the clean-up of new tags. And I can use my own name and talk about my volunteerism, I don't have to hide behind the moniker "NBR" (or whatever) while attempting to justify "diving for abalone" (thats charity?) on work time in a bankrupt city.

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 "BTW, the UBL hours the investigation was referring to was not the employee donated hours but the 600 hours from the city." According to Deputy Sherman at the council meeting the other night, that has been addressed and fixed. "More excuses on why firefighters only can be......" Sorry, kind of a time management dilemma. But, the message was made loud and clear .... if you cannot be in two places at the same time, skip the fund raisers for city recreation, skip the fund raisers for theatre, don't bother with fund raising for GVRD, ect..... I got it.

phoenix   |March.07.2008 It is hard to discern the truth from the barrage of innuendos, personal attacks, and acerbic commentary. Don't you get it, this is just dragging our City down faster. Yes, we need to address union contracts and structural issues and put the City back on a sound fiscal basis. However, the more vitriolic and caustic this dialogue becomes, the more difficult it will be to devise solutions. Let's stop screaming for people's heads and use our own. The City needs all of us to work on solutions together. I don't want this to sound like some kind of est seminar, but I'm not going to see the City go down the drain so some of you can feed some emotional needs. I certainly don't want give the impression that I'm being condescending, I just want us all to work on solutions. Some of you have good and constructive ideas. We need to push these ideas and maybe replace certain policy makers. Our City deserves better from all of us.

On Fire   |March.07.2008 More excuses on why firefighters only can be "charitable" if they are on the city's dime. BTW, the UBL hours the investigation was referring to was not the employee donated hours but the 600 hours from the city. So bottom line is, you don't care about abuse of tax payer's money and we get it. We have all learned that all money isn't good money when it comes under the guise of UBL for charity.

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 "Why can't he just do it on his own time after work or say vacation time?" Afterwork for most people is "after" an 8 or 10 hour day. If the "event" is on Friday and requires set up, or preparation most can do it after 50 or 60 pm. A fireman may be scheduled to work 24 hrs. Fri. and 24 hrs. Sat. No leave from work .... no contribution until Sunday (event is over). 1/2 of the UBL available is VACATION LEAVE donated from other fire fighters to a leave pool. Vacation leave has no restrictions (imbibing??) when used by those donating, why by those using it then? Vacation leave, donated or not, will eventually cost the city. Do you donate any of your vacation to others so they can help produce fund raisers? Diving for abalone has 'windows' (Abalone may be taken only during the months of April, May, June, August, September, October and November from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.) and not all days in the month are always available. On top of state limited days, heavy surf can stop a day. It is about a 6-8 hour round trip by car. Much less exposure to driving risks and reduced gas cost if one just spends a night. Only a few are "proficient" at gathering the mollusks in deeper water. It can be VERY, VERY tiring ..... lots of work!!!!! But .... the argument is moot as furor has stopped the process. No more donation from that event to GVRD. I would guess that the abalone diving, dunk tank, ect. only uses a fraction of UBL and the rest is spent at work shops, conventions, meetings and again, at least 1/2 of that is attended vis-a-vie member donated vacation leave.

On Fire   |March.07.2008 Okay, I'll bite. Please tell me why a city employee has to be on the clock in order to attend or put on a charity event? Is he paid to be an event planner or put out fires? Why can't he just do it on his own time after work or say vacation time? Or is it only worth it if you can be paid for your "acts of kindness"? Why is he charitable only when he is being paid by the hour by the taxpayers? When I "volunteer" to help out at a charity event, I'm not on my company's clock. I certainly am not using any type of business leave that was set up for educational purposes or training, and I don't impose on anybody to take my shift at work (that is already crying about working too many hours)while I socialize and imbibe, and have the company pay overtime for that person to boot. Most people who do charitable acts of kindness, do so without the expectation of being paid. Unless of course you are an event planner and that's what you are paid to to because it's your job.

nbr   |March.07.2008 "Paid UBL, volunteering while on the clock = taxpayers pay your salary, pay for the leave, and pay for the overtime paid by the employee that backfilled the position. All while you have a meal, drink a few cocktails, go home to sleep it off. Charity? In other words, any event monies raised for a charity that in anyway were supported by UBL, are not worth trying to raise or gift? If the total volunteer hours to produce an event came to 700, but 100 of those hours were UBL, the event should not take place? Is that correct? Regardless that the donation $ exceeded the UBL cost .... event should not be held?

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 nmr: and by the way, I will print out your email and mail it to the Grand Jury. Those "Just Volunteers" have alot of power. So, don't be so arrogant.

On Fire   |March.07.2008 Sorry, "pay for overtime paid to the employee that backfilled the position."

On Fire   |March.07.2008 Charity vs paid UBL, what is the difference? Volunteering for a charity event, people give up their own time and energy. Aid given to those in need, helpfulness toward the needy or suffering. Paid UBL, volunteering while on the clock = taxpayers pay your salary, pay for the leave, and pay for the overtime paid by the employee that backfilled the position. All while you have a meal, drink a few cocktails, go home to sleep it off. Charity?

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 nmr:fyi, the D.A.� would not take up such matters.� It would be the Grand Jury...which is suppose to be top secret until an Indictment is filed.� � Just look up Henke's lawsuits on the internet--sounds like he files frivoluos (sp?) lawsuits toward anyone who challenges him, and then has the adocity to try and make the City pay for the cost. I am glad his case was dismissed and thrown out, and most likely, it will be dismissed in the District Court of Appeal.

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 "Either he needs to go to work for IAFF and let them pay for his imbibing or he needs to do what he actually gets paid for, putting out fires." Maybe he is good at multi tasking? Under his direction the fire went out in the motel at Tennessee and Adm Callaghan. I wonder if all/any were on UBL when the FF's help host the charity pancake breakfast for the Cafe out at Dan Foley? Maybe they should be prosecuted for pancakes that were too heavy? Think the Cafe owners should give the money back?

Robert   |March.07.2008

On Fire   |March.07.2008 I think the point of the UBL discussion is toward the fact that the city has: 1. Has had the issue of UBL abuse addressed by the Grand Jury, which pointed out several issues that should be of concern for the city since there has been a budget crisis for some time now and abuse of public funds should not be tolerated. The City responded to those issues addressed and took the position that the problems would be corrected. 2. The City initiated an independant investigation on this same issue, and documented the findings, which justified the Grand Jury's findings only in detail. The City has now a clear indication that the UBL was being abused because no one including Parker, was making any attempt to follow the procedures. This also indicated that even though henke/riley have continously cried about being forced to work overtime, they themselves had inpacted the situation by using excessive amounts of leave, thereby forcing their own employees to backfill their positions while they socialized, imbibed, and found ways to "play games with the city". This cost was in excess of $300,000 for the period covered in the investigation alone. The actual cost to the tax payers for the last several years for this type of abuse. 3. The council then gives this all a sweep under the rug just to bring the henkettes to the table, whether or not they are able to obtain any concessions. This could be (and after review) what amounts to a gift of public funds, which is a violation of public policy. By the mayor's account, he didn't think it had any monetary value and tossed this back to the public to deal with if they took issue with it. Some action should have been taken to fully address this abuse and someone should be held accountable. Now I'm not sure why the public should not be concerned about the fact that we are paying out in excess of 200,000.00 each month for a socializing, alcohol imbibing union representative who is masquerading as a city employee. If he is representing employees for Benicia, Rio Vista, Suisun and Fairfield, please tell me why the tax payers of Vallejo are the only one footing his bill? Either he needs to go to work for IAFF and let them pay for his imbibing or he needs to do what he actually gets paid for, putting out fires.

nbr   |March.07.2008 "NBR, do you not recall the Solano County Grand Jury's investigation into UBL (and Henke's conflict of interest: Asst Fire Chief and Union Pres)?" I do. Conflict of interest IS NOT THE SAME AS breaking the law. Does the criminal justice system prosecute "conflict of interest"? If it does, then let the Vallejo Attorneys or D.A. proceed. If "conflict of interest" is not a criminal prosecution item .... drop it from the court system, you are wasting our time. The Grand Jury are volunteers picked by a judge that serve for one year. The Grand Jury that investigated the complaint of UBL abuse will be 'off duty' July 1, 2008. If the next Grand Jury feels it (VFD UBL) needs further investigation then it will be up to those individuals to see "how kindly the grand jury looks at that." BTW .... the Public Information Act shows records that put Shermans salary at the current level, BEFORE being selected as Interim Fire Chief (he was paid that salary as a Deputy Chief (CAMP member NOT local fire union)).

On Fire   |March.07.2008 WOW, the issue of the two highest paid employees is something you brought to this site and took issue with. Chief Sherman's salary structure was raising him to the level he is at prior to his becoming part of CAMP. This was a direct result of henke's actions. I have stated several times that the city needs to restructure the salary scales for it's employees. Not just VPD or VFD. My comment to you is that Sherman was able to achieve his salary, as a direct benefit from henke's actions. Is his salary too high? Yes it is. But he also is receiving his salary as the Interim Fire Chief. His salary being higher is do the level he was being paid at prior to taking the interim. As you will note, there are many other positions that are being paid more than what Parker was. henke for one. This is why.....there are so many now stating (including myself)that the salary structure needs to change for the entire city. So please keep in mind that you have pointed out this fact when they do fill the position. (When they try to give it to henke)

Anonymous   |March.07.2008 NBR, do you not recall the Solano County Grand Jury's investigation into UBL (and Henke's conflict of interest: Asst Fire Chief and Union Pres)? Essentially, what the city has said to the grand jury when they walked away from the UBL Abuse on Monday IS "drop it". It will be interesting to see how kindly the grand jury looks at that.

Firebug   |March.07.2008 Poor little NBR now wants civility and is above the fray of rumor mongering and name calling. Take a look at this little excerpt from vallejonews starring none other than NBR Dec 21, 2007 12:11 PM By: NBR the bug: "Yes your precious report influenced by Parker..." That specious argument has as much credibility as the salacious rumors regarding Gomes and what's his name. As well as what all those council members were discussing with Giulliani (after he out of office!) ? As has been the mantra 'no one knows what goes on behind closed doors". A closed door is a closed door and your speculation in no more credible than mine. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on Parker if you return the courtesy of my suspicion regarding Gomes as well as the three musketeers (Pearsal, Schively and Giulliani) all meeting in private (much the same as Pearsal and Tanner did and continue to do). How things change! Secret meetings, secret negotiations, secret press comferences planned by unions and the Mayor..and most of rumor mongering......the hypocrisy.

nbr   |March.07.2008 Smacky: "what about UBL abuse?" Morals are bigger then us (supposedly). Ethics are just man made rules that take care of the day to day stuff. Did the UBL break any laws (ethics)? If yes .... call the D.A. If no ..... drop it Morally .... was a greater good performed than damage caused by the alleged abuse? I don't know. Is there a ratio of between OT paid and charitable contributions made that must be met before condemnation is certifiable? If yes .... what is the ratio? What did it cost to dive for abalone? $2000, $3000, $4000, ??????? What was the amount of charitable contributions generated by the diving $5000, $10,000, $15,000, ?????? what? Does that $300,000 include CAMP, VFD, IBEW and VPOA UBL or is it just a single dept?

Smacky   |March.07.2008 And note once again the less than graceful bob and weave...what about UBL abuse? I would suggest to all that we not "entertain" NBR until he (she?) sees fit to answer to the willful wasting of $300,000 of our monies.

nbr   |March.07.2008 Smack March.06.2008 I guess I am the better man and can concede that I made a spelling error. Now can you cop to being an old fart who is out of touch and overly fond of our vampiric unions? Dear Edinator: It is probably time, once again, for a vapid, hollow, toothless threat, concerning "comments that do not fall under the category of intelligent discourse.", and shutting down this site? I know you don't want to really do that, that's ok. However, sometimes that 'puffer fish' posturing slows some people down. Though, I will consider, maybe I am out of touch and "old fart" as well as "vampiric unions" is considered "intelligent discourse" in 2008?

nbr   |March.07.2008 On Fire March.06.2008 To nbr, all Tanner has to do is get an apartment here...... Thank you for the education. I thought all along the argument was the "high payed" employees took their pay checks 'out of town'. It appears your concern is that they simply do not have a mailing address in the city. Is there a matrix or sliding scale that applies to your solution (get an apartment here)? In other words, the bigger the annual wage the more that needs to be spent on rent/mortgage or is it related to square footage? A very old rule-of-thumb (70's) was rent should not be more than 1/2 your monthly income or total mortgage more than 10x annual salary. That means Tanner's maximum rent would be $15,000 per month or purchase price of a $3,000,000+ residence. But those are old be benchmarks AND maximums. Are there minimums? Thank you

Alun Whittaker   |March.07.2008 Another liner for Bungart's bird cage Vallejo Times-Herald Ted Editor Dear Sir: Dispatcher statistics show that 80% or more of all emergency calls to the Fire Department are for medical emergencies, not fires. Why then is it necessary for emergency medical calls to be answered by a lumbering fire engine. In fact why do we have so many fire engines and "fire fighters", busy not fighting fires. Everyone (yes, everyone!) agrees that we need more cops on Vallejo's streets at all times. Wouldn't it make more sense to have Paramedic and EMT-trained police officers, out in the community, in cars (or appropriately equipped minivans), performing routine police work, and immediately available to answer priority medical emergency calls as soon as they come in? That would save money, increase police presence on the streets, and improve medical emergency response time. Who could possibly disapprove of those results.

WOW   |March.07.2008 ON FIRE, Your statment is simply not true...but don't let that stop you from making it. Sherman has been in the CAMP Union for many years, since he became Deputy Fire Chief. He has been directly involved with labor negotiations for CAMP Union employess.More recently, he bacame the union president and negotiated his own deal. Don't believe me, just ask him. The point I'm making here is that the two highest paid employees in the the City(remember no OT), Tanner and Sherman, are the two folks who quickly point out the 80% figure...but I guess they don't contribute to the problem. Because their words seem in line with the VIB folks it's OK for them...let's get IAFF and VPOA. Remember, the two highest paid employees in the City are not members of IAFF or VPOA. How does Sherman get paid more than the Fire Chief and the Police Chief?

Enquirer   |March.07.2008 Speaking of Kurt Henke, I thought VIB would like to know,that while Mr. Henke is the head of one of the larger organized Unions, and has made his career as a union representative and leader, he himself does not hire union help to work on his own personal projects. He prefers non-union, non-licensed help (union and licenced help cost too much per Henke.) That's a little "insider" tip I picked up. It really makes the "trades" mad to know that a pro-union member isnt interesed in hiring other unions members (let alone licensed contractors) to work on his own projects.

Enquirer   |March.07.2008 Interesting note (because it came from the Times Herald, someone will have to verify its content)that the City of Pleasanthill does not have its own fire department, they contract out... Looks like Joe Tanner left his mark there! My brother-in-law lives in the huge gated community of Rancho Santa Margarita/Dove Canyon, they also contract out their police and fire. It works very well (old people have not died, babies havent burned, etc. etc. Wasnt that what the fair citizens of Vallejo were told would happen?) Remember Kurt Henke lives in the "county" of Napa where he has volunteer fire personel, how can he sleep at night?

On Fire   |March.06.2008 And to WOW, who wanted the readers at VIB to react to his comment rgarding Chief Sherman's salary, guess who was instrumental in helping to obtain Sherman's salary? Your boy henke. Yup yup yup! Back in the day when they were friends. So the next time you see him, be sure to thank henke! Ain't that a rub? Funny how things come back around.

On Fire   |March.06.2008 To nbr, all Tanner has to do is get an apartment here, just like Nichelini. And we all know how much time Nichelini spends in his Vallejo residence. So, care to comment on the gift of public funds? Interesting that alan davis the talking head for the unions accused the city of making a gift of public funds when the city had to pick up the tab for the frivilous law suit that henke brought forward. When the city attorney informed him that the city was obligated to pay this cost as the people henke was suing were on council and/or city employees, he threatened to take it to the tax payers that "the city was in violation of making gifts of public funds" because he wanted them to pay for the cost out of their own pocket. Funny how things come back around! Then by this same logic, flawed as it is, the fact that henke tried to get the city to pay for HIS legal costs by demanding that the city give him this consession before he would come to the table to negotiate. Big thanks to Gomes for exposing his scam. So by voting to sweep this continued pattern of blackmail by henke to get the city to turn their heads and ignore his wrong doing, aren't the council members complicit in making a gift of public funds? He succeeded in getting the city to pay for his legal fees when he was fired in 1998 and he hasn't stopped yet. This is what makes it so easy for him to try to bully people into leaving him alone, or he'll haul them into court for issues like "defamation of character"! This pattern has cost the city/tax payers an astronomical amount of money. Hmmm, something else to research.

Vallejo Vista   |March.06.2008 The conflict of interest question should be a bit broader. How is it not a conflict of interest for members who had their campaigns predominantly financed by the unions to vote on matters concerning those unions?

On Fire   |March.06.2008 And now a question for the readers. Since the mayor has appointed himself to be the "negotiator" it will be interesting to watch if the unions begin to put money in his war chest to run against Cloutier if the judge rules in his favor. The question is, do any contributions to the mayor have to be reported to the FPPC, as with Cloutier? So if the union pacs begin to make contributions, would that be a conflict of interest? Does someone know?

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Try once more: But while it's tempting for politicians and other government officials to blame the housing industry's decline for their budget woes, it is, in large measure, a way of shifting responsibility from themselves. Vallejo, it would appear, is merely an extreme example of a widespread syndrome promising more, especially to public employee unions and other powerful pleaders, than is prudently affordable. A clue to Vallejo's culpability is that it devoted 80 percent of its budget to police and fire operations, which placated both the popular desire for safety services and the demands of police and fire unions for ever-larger salaries and ever-fatter pensions and other fringe benefits. From its earlier days as a center of industrial and military activity (Mare Island Naval Base), Vallejo has always been a strong union town and that tradition remained as it evolved into a suburban enclave. Vallejo's commitment to police and fire is much heavier than that of other cities, locking it into contracts and pension commitments that are very difficult to change after the fact. Indeed, the city moved toward bankruptcy because its unions refused to modify their contracts and benefits before finally agreeing to some money-saving steps to avert immediate insolvency. It's evident, too, that Vallejo made its heavy commitments on the assumption that the taxes and fees from housing expansion could continue to fill city coffers indefinitely, and that it set aside inadequate reserves for the contingency of a serious downturn. That's what got the state into fiscal trouble, too, with a deficit for the remainder of this fiscal year and all of next still pegged $8 billion even with some emergency actions. Former Gov. Gray Davis and the Legislature squandered a one-time income tax windfall on permanent spending and tax cuts eight years ago and the state has struggled with deficits ever since. Schwarzenegger, elected as Davis was recalled, failed to make good on his promise to clean up the state's finances, even when the state was enjoying hefty revenue gains, and the recent housing downturn just made it worse. Experts in municipal finance believe that Vallejo is a fairly isolated case, much like the school districts that from time to time make too many promises to their unions and wind up in state receivership. Other cities and counties appear to be tightening their belts, dipping into their reserves and in other ways doing what ordinary people have to do to make it through tough times. Famously liberal San Francisco, for instance, has made a deal with its unions to scale back health care commitments to retirees to ease the financial burden.

On Fire   |March.06.2008 And then from the article itself" "But while it's tempting for politicians and other government officials to blame the housing industry's decline for their budget woes, it is, in large measure, a way of shifting responsibility from themselves. Vallejo, it would appear, is merely an extreme example of a widespread syndrome

On Fire   |March.06.2008 One more: "Every city and county in California, and even the state itself, needs "give backs from the police and fire unions. We cannot continue to allow police and fire in California to retire at 90% and more of their base salary after 30 years or less of service. Our U.S. service personnel perform an even more vital task, are exposed to even great dangers, and are required to move constantly, with their families, often to remote and unpleasant places, retire at 70% after 30 years. There is absolutely no reason California Safety Retirement benefits should be higher than U.S. military retirement benefits."

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Thanks to Bob who posted on the times horrid blog: www.sacbee.com/111/story/761356

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Interesting story from the SacBee regarding Vallejo's finances. Even more interesting is the comments posted there. Such as: "Public sector unionism is an inherently corrupting force. Unions are essentially labor trusts with an exemption in anti-trust law and these labor trusts operate within the monopoly of government using other people's money. Worse yet they don't merely negotiate like other unions versus their employers. They are also extremely powerful political players who use that power to influence who they will negotiate with and hence the attitudes that they face. Government employee's compensation ought to follow that the private market and market forces in general which take into account all aspects of employment, which would ask if there are willing takers of the jobs. People would not freely choose to be taxed in order to create a privileged class whose compensation is better than their own. Yet that something politicians have done with some groups of government employees. And as has been noted elsewhere in these comments, the media has been complicit in this process." Wow, and not even from a Vallejo granola fan!

Smacky   |March.06.2008 BTW NBR, you still haven't risen to the challenge we've put before you to defend the UBL abuse. Care to comment? Naw, thought not!

Smack   |March.06.2008 I guess I am the better man and can concede that I made a spelling error. Now can you cop to being an old fart who is out of touch and overly fond of our vampiric unions?

Smacky Mc Smack Smack   |March.06.2008 Uh NBRNRAUBL, what a fabulous quote : "(Tanner) never did anything without the city's interest at heart". Yep, that's the same vibe - consistently since he came to town - that I get from him. And what came from this brouhaha? Anything??? No criminal proceedings? Nothing??? Nope, just a very successful economic development project that he oversaw. I go down there sometimes with my sweetie, get coffee at Peet's and check out the Bed and Bath Superstore. Now when I spend my $ there instead of Vallejo, I thank Joe Tanner. And what the heck have you done for us lately NBRCIVDUI?

NBR   |March.06.2008 dude, learn how to spell independently

Smacky   |March.06.2008 NRA/NBA/BFD, sorry I was working my day shift and some overtime so I couldn't respond to your drivel. Your quote "Vallejo is a much less affluent community than SF or the entire state of CA" and so WHY is it we are paying at the top of the scale for our FF's and police in all this prosperous state? Ooh and wait, add in their obscene bennie package and we are over the top baby! And dude, learn how to spell Governor, "Govenor or Newsome are better". I beg to differ but you are also comparing apples to oranges (where is James and his visual aids when you need him?). The last three mayors of SF were independantly wealthy. So were the governors. And as for city manager vs. mayor, in this town the mayor is to be on par with council members and a figurehead/ribbon cutter. Again, if Tanner was allowed to do the job he was hired for, we'd be a lot farther down the good road instead of mired in this poop puddle of union crap. Next, why Russ Sherman rocks...

Snirk   |March.06.2008 Wow comment added back an hour later, thank you VIB this is the kind of reporting and alternative that keeps the other some what honest.

Snirk   |March.06.2008 Here is a link to the vallejonews post http://www.vallejonews.com/forums2/Search_Results.cfm?CFApp=3#Message65547 Lots of info on that site for ancient history.

Snirk   |March.06.2008 Wow, The TH is deleting it's post again I guess this firefighter Dick Benne has connections with the editor as this post got deleted and it had no profanity! All I did is respond to this post from a fireman named Dick Benne. As a 57 year resident and homeowner and a member of the VFD, it is my opinion that "unanimous" is 99% correct. As far as "fuzzy math" goes, it is undisputed that the 46 unanimous votes for approval is at the very least a 58% vote in favor. You can "assume" what you want regarding the 32 uncast ballots (and we all know what assuming things makes out of oneself) but the ballot approval did pass convincingly. Politicians would be happy to have such margins (58%). All I said was "wow you are still here, I found this post at vallejonews about the LNG where you claimed you would be retired before the first "valva" was turned. After five years I would think the plant would be operational after five years." Some people are hyper sensitive over there I guess. Date: January 12, 2003 097 PM Author: Dick Benne Subject: How am I benefiting? [Wow correct me if I am wrong but in earlier posts didn't you say your paycheck didn't come from anyone or thing that would stand to benefit from this project?] I did say earlier that I will be retired before the first valve is ever turned. My retirement check will be completely separate from the GF. In other words, IF, the City ever collected a dime from the project it will be well after I have left the cities employment (and still reside in Vallejo).

Silas Barnabe   |March.06.2008 Binding arbitration is considered a court? Hardly, Angelo is not a judge, and wouldn't even have any authority to arbitrate if the city charter didn't have a provision for binding arbitration. Now about the courts, it is a fact that binding arbitration is "unconstitutional" in cities without it in their city charters. I wonder what the wisdom of the court is? According to court decisions "binding arbitration" violates our constitution by now letting officials we elect set our priorities. The tyrany of binding arbitration in this city where it is in our charter is that even with a council that isn't bought by the unions would have an very difficult time winning. On the one hand you seem to approve of Tanner taking the risk of 5 percent chance of avoiding bankruptcy, yet chastise him for trying to take on binding arbitration, not a very consistent message from you except that you "hate" Tanner.

Vallejo Vista   |March.06.2008 I am really tired of the IAFF and VPOA representitives complaining to the city about inadequate staffing levels. It seems they are failing to see the big picture : increased salary = less staffing. Using the figures relating to historic raises for various city employee groups, IAFF and VPOA have receiced raises of 56% while the highest other employee group received 18% over the same time frame. If IAFF and VPOA had received similar raises, that would have resulted in a 28%lower increased cost to the city. This could have been divided equally between increased staffing and decreased expenses for the city resulting in a solvent city AND increased staffing. Apparently your union negotiators don't understand that concept and look only at the financial rewards of the currently employed personel. Just be aware that the reason you have inadequate staffing is because you have negotiated unrealistic raises, not because other parts of the city have too much fat.

NBR   |March.06.2008 Old news or not .... experience goes towards determining Smackys declaration of "righteous qualifications". "No one is going to be able to deal with the bankruptcy in court with his knowledge and expertise." Lets hope that his experience and knowledge in those areas are better than his gamble on binding arbitration. So far his track record in court, here in Vallejo, sucks. "If the funded four try to fire him, they will have to justify paying out his salary and compensation at a time when the city is on the brink of bankruptcy." Maybe the council will just wait for the "grace year" of having a permanent residence in Vallejo to run its course. He has a nice home in Pleasant Hill .... if you think he is selling to move here .... I got a bridge you can buy. "The citizens are already ****ed off with the violation of public policy by the vote to give a gift of public funds" Your right, who better to deal with the controversy of a "gift of public funds" than the person that bought property from a developer in bankruptcy. No quid pro quo ???? Was that the same developer that he approved a development deal without the full authorization of the Pleasant Hill City Council. Who knows? Honest Joe?

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Or let's talk about what henke's frivolous law suits (3)have cost the tax payers from 1997 to present. The cost of the city attorney's time, the hired law firms, city staff's time. Gee, then he tries to get the tax payers to foot his foolishness. with riley coming in right behind him now with his fantasy 'abuse' case against Cloutier that no one but his buddy witnessed. He is still trying to bring that back to life. How much more does he think he can con out of the city? We know that the city will be on the hook if he pushes the fantasy for legal fees since Cloutier was on council at that time. But don't let finances get in the way of the henkettes. It's not their money now is it? There is no wonder why this city is broke.

Vallejo Vista   |March.06.2008 Am I the only one that was appalled by the article of the teachers asking for a 7% pay raise and full medical benefits in this mornings VTH? The school district still has major debt it needs to repay to the state, has poor enrollment, and has a situation in which local, state and federal govenrment are seriously out of balance financially. The city in the past has had cooperative programs with the school district which if not already dismantled will be by the next fiscal year. The district is facing the prospect of a significant decrease in state funding and even if you are the eternal optimist, it is unlikely the district will even receive funding at the level it faced last year. Given this situation it is unreasonable if not irresponsible to expect any increase in salary or benefits. The sistuation facing the city should illustrate how irresponsible governing bodies that try to accomodate unrealistic demands for increased employee compensation lead to dire consequences. It just adds fuel to the fire with regard to those seeing the unions as self centered with little regard for the best interests of the community or the students they serve. It further shows little respect for those employees facing layoffs as any increase in compensation will result in more people being layed off.

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Besides, I'd rather talk about the embezzelment of tax payers money by henke and his imbibed diving and partying. Let's talk about the 300,000 plus that was wasted on "playing games with the city." This was only for the scope of the investigation. You can multiply that by at least ten years and how much would that total? This was just for henke, there also is riley who was imbibing his way through the cocktail hour as well on the tax payer's dime. This could of fully funded the community based organizations for a year.

On Fire   |March.06.2008 Ho Hum NBR. Old news. Your point is? He is here now, they don't have grounds to fire him. He is familiar with all of the operations and capable of moving the city forward. If the funded four try to fire him, they will have to justify paying out his salary and compensation at a time when the city is on the brink of bankruptcy. Plus they give the appearance of retaliation. No one is going to be able to deal with the bankruptcy in court with his knowledge and expertise. The citizens are already ****ed off with the violation of public policy by the vote to give a gift of public funds and so they would divide the city even more by trying to fire him. The only one that will be laughing will be Tanner as he will get paid and be done with the headache. It's funny that no one worried about his salary until he ****ed the henkettes off. We are watching.

NBR   |March.06.2008 Maverick strikes early and often; Pleasant Hill 2001 "City Manager Joe Tanner has been placed on paid leave after he allegedly approved a development deal without the full authorization of the Pleasant Hill City Council. The council voted 3-to-2 on Monday night in closed session to put Tanner on leave. Council members Terri Williamson and Kim Brandt objected. "(Tanner) never did anything without the city's interest at heart," Brandt said yesterday. Council members could not talk publicly about the case, but a statement by Mayor Sue Angeli indicated that the dispute involves a hotel site on Contra Costa Boulevard. According to Angeli, Tanner had agreed to a city purchase involving the site from a developer now in bankruptcy." No wonder Tanner is so familiar with bankruptcy proceedings! Newsome or Ahhhnald ever put on "paid leave"?

NBR   |March.06.2008 Firebug, as soon as "Smacky" expands on Tanners "righteous qualifications" we can make a comparison. And for a matter of accuracy, which seems to be a low priority for you and "Smacky", I said Tanner "IS NOT better or more qualified than either.", which is different than your 'twist' that the Govenor or Newsome are better (which I believe they are .... MHO). I was lowering Tanner and not elevating Newsome or the Govenator

Firebug   |March.06.2008 On-fire, They are enraged when the w2 wages were posted as now any of us can look any cop or fireman square in the eyes and know how much they are milking the city for.

On Fire   |March.06.2008 I'd to know under what authority or expertise that anyone has to make an issue of what the city manager makes? I think that the henkettes think that by raising this issue of Tanner's salary that they will get people in an uproar. I don't remember anyone getting upset when the council signed his contract, nor was there much debate about his salary. The city was glad they could finally get someone to agree to take on the job. Yes he makes a lot of money. I think he deserves it based on the hell he has gone through for the past two years just dealing with the budget. My opinion is, is that the henkettes are trying to make council make a move to get rid of him so that they can move someone more to their liking (control) like Whitcom in. First, he's not qualified. Second, he was appointed to the job he has now and there will be hell to pay if he is appointed to any other position without going through the process because there will be no one getting that job without being the best qualified. So other than that, what's your point henkettes?

Firebug   |March.06.2008 NBR, What are The Governor's qualifications, or Newsoms for that matter that make them BETTER?

Anonymous   |March.06.2008 Chron: March 5, 2008 Matier and Ross Top gun: There's been a lot of talk about how police and firefighters' salaries have pushed Vallejo to the brink of bankruptcy. And indeed, thanks to huge overtime payouts, 29 cops and firefighters made more than $200,000 last year, according to city records. It turns out, however, that Vallejo's top wage earner is none other than the city manager himself, Joseph Tanner. City records show he pulled down $316,688 last year - though like all city executives, he's getting a 3 percent pay cut as part of the budget deal agreed to by the City Council late Monday. His pre-cut salary was $71,881 more than San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's salary, and $104,509 more than what Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would make this year if he took his state pay. (He doesn't.) Tanner still makes a lot more than city managers in Fairfield ($220,000), Hayward ($190,000) and Oakland ($260,000). Tanner's voice mail wasn't accepting calls Tuesday. Recently elected Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis said, "That was the salary he was making when I came in. I was surprised myself."

NBR   |March.06.2008 Smacky says: "I'll stand here and defend Tanner's salary because he was the ONLY man after 2 rounds of city manager candidates that would consider the job AND he has righteous qualifications." Matier and Ross in Chron. have written that Tanner makes more than Newsome and the Govenor. He IS NOT better or more qualified than either. Job isn't harder. Vallejo is a much less affluent community than SF or the entire state of CA (4th largest economy in the world).

Vallejo Heights   |March.06.2008 Wanted to pass this item along. It's from "Visitor" on the T-H comments (link below). The second paragraph is particularly interesting -- have these bond payments been brought to light before? -------------------------- This is the easy part folks. This buys the City a month and a half to contend with the nightmare that arrives next year and ones that follow. Next year, in addition to what is happening now, the City must find a mix of savings and revenues to cover $14 million deficit. Vallejo must begin addressing unfunded liabilities for retired employees medical coverage as well as for current employees future PERS retirement. Additionally, and not mentioned so far as I've noticed, is the fact that from 2014 onward, bonded debt payments of principal and interest will rise from around $3.5 million to $16 million per year. I haven't examined the detail of this debt, that likely is repaid with tax increment revenue, lease revenue and development agreement payments. Were I discussing Vallejo's financial future I would surely want to understand those long term liabilities. Loans made by the City to its Redevelopment Agency for the central business district recently note that repayment from tax increment revenues might not be forthcoming. It is easy to make projections of future revenues, but anyone who has watched downtown languish knows that seldom are those projections borne out. A quick review of bonded debt by the City suggests they're been playing at delaying judgment day. Instead of paying off past bonds, City Hall Lease Revenue Bonds, for example, the tendency has been to issue additional bonds, repay the original bond and pocket the excess monies. This is precisely what the homeowners who stripped equity out of their homes for consumption have done, leading to the crisis facing the economy at the moment. Mortgaging/monitizing Vallejo's revenue streams is very risky business when an economic slowdown arrives. Especially troubling is that using redevelopment financing reduces tax revenue collected by City, School District, County and special districts. If you believe the Redevelopment Agency is capable of making good decisions for a community and that other agencies will survive with reduced revenues, it might make sense to take this path. I'm curious the report card folks would give the Redevelopment Agency at the moment with stalled disposition and development agreements all over the place. http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/TUSBP0SQEN6C8I81M

Anonymous   |March.06.2008 Dear Editinator: Speaking of possible litigation against individual council members, has anyone been able to deduce any constitutional or otherwise legal justification for Mayor Davis recessing the council, silencing Sam Kurshan, and having Sam frog-marched out of the Council Chamber by police (-union members.), in plain sight of the public, television, and heaven knows how other (curse of the augmented cellphone) cameras. Even using Davis' own customizable on-the-fly version of Robert's Rules of Order, I can identify nothing said by Sam that could justify this abridgment of his rights either under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, or the Vallejo Municipal Code. On the other hand, it does seem that the Mayor did unjustifiably hold up Sam Kurshan to public ridicule and denigration, thereby harming his private, and public good name, and reputation. Perhaps someone with more experience in both the law and local government (someone like... well, maybe Gary Cloutier, for example) would care to comment on the matter.

Smoke Filter   |March.06.2008 Vallejo is Burning to the Ground. Can we expect a Phoenix? Why should any of us be surprised that the City is under water? Vallejo has been reeking of gross fiscal mismanagement for years ranging from the $70 million school system deficit disaster, to the big deficits in the transportation and marina funds and the looming trainwreck of our general fund bankruptcy spurred by incompetent public safety contract negotiations. Now the state and other outside stakeholders have become aware of Vallejo

Alun Whittaker   |March.06.2008 Something else for file 13 Vallejo Times-Herald The Editor: Dear Sir: Cole Bron voiced, on March 6th (An embarrassing sight), his complaints against the citizens who turned out to protest the press conference held on City Hall steps and: "Those embarrassing malcontents shouting at Mayor Davis and other city leaders". I'm afraid that isn't quite correct. The press conference was called and organized by the police union, the fire union, and Mayor Davis alone to announce a plan agreed by them alone, that had only just been posted on the City Hall web site, and which had not been discussed or voted on by our city council. The out-of-town press were invited, but not one single member of the City Council (a couple of Council Members who came uninvited to the press conference were prevented from speaking!) The City Manager was not present, nor was the City Attorney, or even the Assistant City Manager who had helped negotiate the plan with the unions. So the Mayor was there representing himself, not the city, those "other city leaders" were in fact union leaders, the few taxpayers who found out about the underhand event, and who turned out to protest it were the only honest-to-goodness representatives of our city present. I think that gave them the right speak out. Objecting to taxation without representation. Didn't a bunch of "embarrassing malcontents" care enough about that to start a revolution way back when!

Smacky   |March.06.2008 Uh WOW, what the heck do you mean "us VIB folks"? I don't know you (but I can smell you). I'll stand here and defend Tanner's salary because he was the ONLY man after 2 rounds of city manager candidates that would consider the job AND he has righteous qualifications. I resent that he spent most of his first year trying to get somewhere with the Union thugs when he could've been working on economic development and many other pressing issues. But the rancor and arrogance of the safety union bosses wouldn't let him get far - though I hear he tried and tried. Then he had to figure out how to the trim fat off an emaciated city. When Hanky wouldn't play anymore, Whitless was brought in. See the thugs don't want any push back, they expect to run rough shod over this city - as they have done for 20 years. Now Hinky wants his puppets to get rid of mean old Mr. Tanner, using his wages as a reason. And the other over-paid union members who like to spew come on this site and the on the local rag blogs to use Tanner's wages as an issue instead of talking about the real sins in this town. I don't know about you, but considering that Hanky & his 2nd bilked us out of $300,000 on top of their obscene salaries last year...well I think Tanner's salary was well spent. Hmmm, I think I'll hear silence from WOW re: the UBL abuse. Just try to defend it. I dare ya!

Silas Barnabe   |March.06.2008 Katy, The Council's action to "forgive" the UBL report may have been illegal, please see this article specifically "gift of public funds". It is against the California constitution as mentioned in this paper. http://vistaverdeca.org/files/ltcwd_rebate_legality.doc I also believe that there may be the possibility of federal law being violated with the band of four campaign contributions in return for gift of public funds (if the above is found to be true) which may or may not constitute a federal investigation in what I think they called the RICO Act of 1984 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RICO As you read about things that apply to RICO take notice of Anti-SLAP, does that remind us of anything that happened here? I am certainly no attorney but there a great minds on this forum and issue, it would be interesting to hear Mr. Corbetts opinion or a legal experts opinion on this matter.

Conflicted   |March.05.2008 So the fire station closures begin. It's no surprise why why they started with the northeast station. Wonder if the mayor will think this was out of SPITE since it affects his neighborhood-Hiddenbrooke?

Marc Garman--The Editinator   |March.05.2008 DO NOT DELETE.

WOW   |March.05.2008 Maybe I said something wrong with my below email. No one responded. I thought us VIB folks were against these highly paid union folks, especially the presidents of those unions. Joann and Steph forget what I said. I guess it's only IAFF and the VPOA we are after. Marc, do you think we should delete this? We wouldn't want it to get out to the public... I was looking a the salaries for the City employees and found something interesting. Although there were several employees in the 200k plus range as a result of OT and retirement payouts, the second highest employee in the city was Deputy fire Chief and CAMP union president Russ Sherman (remember, he didn't retire and doesn't get OT). He made a base of 238k. I surprised no one from VIB found it odd that the union president has the second highest salary in the entire city. Second only to Tanner, neither get overtime. Did anyone else notice this?

Conflicted?   |March.05.2008 It is hard to understand what 'silent' meant when he stated that "he's proud to work here." Usually when one is proud about working somewhere, it involves the environment where the job is doesn't it? Likewise you could be proud of what you do, or proud of who you are. But then to follow up with the statement that you would never live here, it seems to contradict your postion. So what I think I'm hearing you say is that you like the fact that you have the status of being one of the highest paid government employees in the bay area, or maybe California, that has a union that will negotiate the best possible employment package that soley benefits it's membership, but you would not want to have to live in the city that has to pay your salary because that would be beneath your lifestyle? Wow, now that's something to consider while pondering bankruptcy, doing without quality of life programs, decreased property value and the possibilty of my having to pay more taxes just to make your proud. Do you think that maybe it's this type of sentiment that makes the citizens lash out at the safety employees? I thought heard your union president say that "we are all in this together?" Maybe I mistook what he meant as well?

J.M   |March.05.2008 I misspelled criticize...darn!

J.M   |March.05.2008 Mr. Silent, No, it was not "On Fire nor "Black Eye" who posted regarding education & Bio-Tech...it is I, who wrote the blog, as I cannot stand negative individuals who don't live in this town & only critizize those of us who want to be part of the solution! On Fire is correct, it really is not your problem, but sure...keep collecting that paycheck, until your position gets cut, because of funding. Meanwhile continue to drive in Vallejo with those blinders. Reality is, many new residents as well as long time residents to this town have been working diligently to make Vallejo a 1st Class City. Positive change is happening at a very slow speed however. Unfortunately the dirty laundry has to be taken out in order for a fresh new vibe to begin. As a Vallejo resident, I am willing to put-up a damn good fight. I am currently working with our Public works,engineering & PD, as well as neighborhood associations to bring a better quality of life to this City. In general, don't expect the Council or Public Officials of any City to change everything. Change starts with "You" to make an impression in all aspects of life.

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 I like the New York City example in the previous post, where if you wanted to become a NYC Firefighter you had to take the NYC government tests (written and physical) AND THEN be "appointed" upon passing the examination. Notice that firefighters are "appointed" in New York City -- NOT automatically getting the job just because they belong to the Local IIAF. Vallejo City Hall should have followed that example in the first place, and set up their own tough examinations like New York City did... which will allow the city of Vallejo to weed out the firefighters who could become trouble-makers for the city. Wonder if Kurt Henke and John Riley would have passed such an examination?

Code for smelly flatulence?   |March.06.2008 Silent but deadly, sounds like what my pooch does. Did all of the women get pink slips from the VPD and VFD? Stand strong Men? I guess the women who work with you don't count, just like the people who pay your salary? What exactly does it mean that your proud to work here but wouldn't live here? Proud that you union has worked out a sweet deal but can't stand the taxpayers that pay your wages? Please explain?

On Fire   |March.05.2008 A wonderful life when it's not your problem. It must be nice to be able to drive home and drive past manicured parks, smooth and paved streets. Have a pool that your kids can go to without worrying about budget constraints that will close it down for most of the year. To be able to close your doors and shut out the turmoil the city you collect you paycheck from is facing. Hey, its not your problem. Thats for the poor smucks that decided to pay all of those wonderful perks without any thought to how it would work out down the road. Not your problem that the unions have taken advantage of the situation and put the tax payers in a further bind. Not your problem. No fire stations closing down where you live and so you don't have to worry about your house or your family. No cuts in police patrols in your neighborhood. Hey it's not your problem that the people who live in the city that pays your wages are going to have to make due with less city services. Must be nice to have that peace of mind. Cause it's not your problem.

WOW   |March.05.2008 I was looking a the salaries for the City employees and found something interesting. Although there were several employees in the 200k plus range as a result of OT and retirement payouts, the second highest employee in the city was Deputy fire Chief and CAMP union president Russ Sherman (remember, he didn't retire and doesn't get OT). He made a base of 238k. I surprised no one from VIB found it odd that the union president has the second highest salary in the entire city. Second only to Tanner, neither get overtime. Did anyone else notice this?

silent but deadly   |March.05.2008 On fire is nothing but a match that is just smoldering. You are right, I no longer live in vallejo and I would never come back at this time for nothing. This city has not changed in 15+ years so that means nothing else will ever change. I am proud to work her, but I will never live here. Was it you that said you were educated and worked at a Bio tech company? Is your company located in vallejo or do you like others work some where else and just live here? There are not to many high paying jobs in this city, but there could have been. Keep up the good work black eye and keep these fools in check. They only know what they read in the paper and that is it. They don't really know what or who has given up what, but a few of us do. Can someone call engine 24 to come by and put this smoldering fire out? God bless the fire and PD. Saty strong men!

Question lady   |March.05.2008 In the 50s there was this interesting Teamsters character named Dave Beck, who was eventually prosecuted for tax evasion and misuse of union funds (federal crimes). It's all detailed in something called the McClellan investigation. Labor racketeering used to be such a problem. Anyone play bingo?

Enquirer   |March.05.2008 Ok, the rubblings from the VFD have traveled "Up-Valley" to the wine country. Word on the street is that Henke may be more of a problem that he's worth. "Napkins" are worried that one of their own is involved in heavy handed tactics that are pushing their neighboring city into bankruptcy. Mare Island gave a lot of Napa residents jobs for many years, with good benefits. It doesnt bode well... Any brave VFD personal willing to address this? You can write in anonomously, as many of us feel we need to...

J.M   |March.05.2008 We seem to forget the Unions have been a great influence the last three decades or so. It also appears Mr. Henke would like to remove Tanner with the help from the funded four. It's happening all over again with union funded council members. It appears the funded four only move their strings when they're told by the union President. It is important for all Vallejo citizens & residents to get involved. It is crucial to understand a bit of Vallejo Political history to appreciate Gomes & Schievly's work at the present time. We're allowed one or two mistakes & Schievly has really stepped to the plate. It is very simple to point fingers here & there, especially these days. We all understand a City needs Police Officers, Fire Department & other Public Agencies, but we must have a balance according to what a City can pay them and most importantly know how to negotiate contracts. Statistics, actions, factual information, former council members & abalone diving speak for themselves. For Mr. Silent Vallejo is a bedroom community, at least in my neighborhood ,Yo soy un former CHP Officer & do not need to apply to Napa Police Academy. I feel, I already have ALL the guts in the world. I can tell you this, as long as I live in this town, I will whine, complain & actually do something about the state we're in for better or worst. thank you.

Firebug   |March.05.2008 The unions did a tad more than "endorse" how much did they give Shively? How much did Henke and unions spend to smear her shortly after the 1999 election?Is it anything like the $100,000 they spent on Hannigan and WIlson?

On Fire   |March.05.2008 I do know one thing... you do the best job of informing others about who exactly it is that has no sense.

Black eye   |March.05.2008 There goes on fire again...Only his opinion matters and everything he says is a fact...cry me a river...If you read, no one accused you of saying anything about the chiefs son..different paragraph...Maybe your the one that needs to scroll down if you don't like what people have to say that have a different opinion then yours. As far as officers living in Vallejo, I don't blame them, how would you like it if everywhere you went you saw someone you arrested.I love how you say the Unions run the city counsel just because they endorsed a counsel member, for your information Mr NO IT ALL, the police union endorsed Schivley in the past, and let me see, did she approve the contracts......."yup" Another thing, just for your information, I've never been on the times herald site.

On Fire   |March.05.2008 So "not so silent", you say " It sure is a shame that a person comes into office for a couple of months and has to take all the abuse and blame from ignorant vallejoans who want to blame him for councils continuous mistakes over the last decade or more." I will repeat a previously posted bit of history. For the last twenty years or more, the council has consisted of a majority that has been funded and supported by the unions and chamber. They, not the minority council, are the ones that have ruled the decision making in Vallejo. The people you have continuously tried to blame for the past mistakes and bad decisions are and have been, in the minority. They haven't ruled the decisions. Now who put those funded majority council members in office? People who support the unions and the chamber of commerce, funded by union/chamber money! So are you getting it yet? :idea:

Katy Miessner   |March.05.2008 Union Business Leave abuse was first brought to the City's attention by the Solano County Grand Jury. http://www.solanocourts.com/grandjury/2006/0506ReptFinal.pdf#PAGE=30 -The City was required to respond to the Grand Jury's investigation and they did so by outlining a plan that would stop the abuse. -Fire Chief Donald Parket abdicated his reponsibility in following that plan, and UBL abuse escalated. -The City hired an investigator to look into the escalating abuse and discovered that Parker was not doing his job -Parker "retired" (with all his bennies, remember) when he should have been fired. -On Monday, the Council majority voted to: not allow the UBL Abuse report to ever be used against the Fire Union; approved a UBL plan that essentially will allow the abuse outlined in the UBL Abuse investigation to continue. I am writing to the Solano County Grand Jury to complain, and I suggest that others do as well: http://www.solanocourts.com/grandjury/GrandJuryComplaints.asp

On Fire   |March.05.2008 Black eye, you know what's funny about this site? You! You come to this site and first off try to put other people's opinion down: "I hope your all proud of the Big Black eye you gave this city." Then you continually give your opinion about what people in Vallejo should accept as a viable business: "There is nothing wrong with an Indian bingo casino or a prison." Then you post a "amen" from others like plain truth that come here critizing other's opinions: "There's only one word for the vocal minority who slam the police and fire, call them greedy and uncaring, the ones who tell them to find a job somewhere else, and b**ch about them not living in Vallejo, the word would be: hypocrites.....How absolutely pathetic....how absolutely VIB." Your comments: "To Vallejo shouldn't suck and plain truth, thanks for opening some eyes.." Then you come back for some more and post slimmy comments that only amuse those who have nothing of substance to talk about, which is so like what others on the times horrid post: "Gomes brought up some interesting pillow talk statements last night at the counsel meeting, wonder where she got those ideas from...." But I'm the one with a one track mind? I'm the one who doesn't have any common sense? Tell me, which of any of your post served to enlighten anyone? Or did you simply state your opinion? If you don't like what I have to say, the solution is simple, simply use the scroll button one that keyboard or better yet, stick to posting your opinions on the times horrid blogs that are filled with people who think like you and like to slam anyone who has a different opinion. Doesn't take a college degree to figure that out. Lastly, I never made any statement regarding the qualifications of Nichelini's son. My comments were regarding the "anti-nepotism" policy and used his hiring as an example of why hiring family members could become a problem. I know there isn't much substance in what is posted in that "other" blog that your may be used to but it may help you to actually read what I said and then comment.

Firebug   |March.05.2008 At least Osby Davis has friends that are familiar with bankruptcy, as I recall (no pun intended) Hazel Wilson ran on a ticket of being financially astute because of her IRS background, and right under her nose the school district went belly up. From one month to the next she criticized the former superintendent Goldstone (?) about the financial mess the schools where in, voted to fire him picking out none other than the now infamous Gladys Philipps-Evans and the vallejo schools bankruptcy saga continues today.

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 On the school board: Hazel Wilson (friend of Osby Davis) Dan Glaze (friend of Osby Davis) Victor Mommsen (supported by IAFF). And if Police & Fire don't take a 15% cut, Vallejo will have to go bankrupt. That's just the way it is.

Firebug   |March.05.2008 Black Eye, So let's see what you are trying to say here... On-fire is dumb because they have a college degree, On-fire doesn't know a thing about way public safety costs so much and is bankrupting this City, and in conclusion it is On-fire's fault that you smart, intelligent and articulate fellows that imbibe alcohol, abalone dive, and run marathon's at the taxpayers expense, have short changed the citizens for decades.

Silent, but deadly   |March.05.2008 Okay annonymous, I misspelled a word or two so I am sorry, but I can at least partly blame that on my Vallejo education. Speaking of Vallejo education, are they really thinking about laying off about 200 employeesthroughout the district? Hmmmmm, is Gomes and Schivley on the school board to? About the Chiefs son....he is more then qualified for the job he does and if you ever get in an accident, you better hope it is an officer like him that takes your report. Oh yes, now about the incompetent memebrs of council that are in the pockets of the unions...NOT! The only real two incompetent coucil members are the two that are starring in the new hit series "The Gomes and Schivley" show. The east coast and west coast are so different in so many ways, it would take weeks to write about the differences. Reading these inputs, I sure see a lot of people blaming Mayor Davis? It sure is a shame that a person comes into office for a couple of months and has to take all the abuse and blame from ignorant vallejoans who want to blame him for councils continuous mistakes over the last decade or more. Maybe you should of voted the other mayor in...at least he could of used his alcohol consumption for his excuse??? This is not a bedroom community folks...either XXXX or get off the pot. It takes money to survive and have the best of the best....quit running businesses away from your town. Houses and smoke shops are not going to pay your bills. Thanks Mr. Franks for the support for your local police and fire and for all of you that do. Why should police and fire take a 5-8-10-12-15% cut and people like Tanner might have to give up 5%, but yet he is the top paid dog??? Maybe we should go the our local shelter and get another dog? For those of you that complain about your over paid and non hard working public safety officers.... do us all a favor and remember when you need help, call someone else to respond from the mid-west or east coast and don't bother the ones you disrespect everyday on this site or your local newspaper. To police and fire...continue to cite those violators in vallejo and arrest all the violators and make sure you put out any and all fires so you can prove to these citizens that the work you do is very risky and worth every penny you make. These people who cry about you and your wages....wait until you pull one of them over and then you will really hear them whine becuase you are doing your job. To all of you that cry all the time....you can still go to the academy in Napa, Ca; and become a cop if you have the brains and guts to. I still laugh when I think of all you whinning people, but when you need someone to save your life or protect your poperty....you can bet you will dial 911. Maybe in the near future, that guy who said he wants to start a volunteer fire dept...maybe you can call him......I can't wait to see what type of service you get there. Good luck to all police and fire and thanks so much for what you do.

Black eye   |March.05.2008 You know whats funny about this site, it's like the guy at the city counsel meeting stated, you can take all the police and fire wages away and you still would not be satisfied.. The wages posted arn't saleries, there wages. They get paid by the hour and yes, a big part of it is overtime. Someone has to work when people are on vacation, out on injuries or sick. "On Fire", you have no concept of what police or fire do, just because you have a college degree, doesn't mean your smart or have any common sense. You have a one track mind and really don't care what anyone has to say, because your to busy listening to yourself talk. Your opinion matters more then anyones. I'm sure you do everything better then anyone else. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if someone was attacking you or trying to take a part of your wages away. You should use all that hot air and buy yourself a baloon. Get involved in your community. Do you know how many people voted? What did you do to help? To those complaining about the Police Chiefs son...Get a life. If he is qualified to work as a police officer, which he was well qualified way before he came to vallejo, then leave him alone. Go watch a soap opera, if you don't have enough problems in your own life. Maybe you should point a finger at yourself...never mind, you would never do that...

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 New York City government REQUIRES that persons wanting to become a New York City firefighter MUST take the New York City government examination and pass both written and physical parts of the examination...... Firefighter Examination - New York City Government http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/employment/firefighter_examination.shtml Q: What is the status of Firefighter Exam No. 6019? A: The eligible list for Firefighter, Exam No. 6019 was made public on November 16, 2007 and final scores were mailed to candidates shortly afterward. Q: Now that the written test scores have been mailed, what

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 Federal Firefighters Overtime Pay Reform Act of 1998 http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2003_n_before/firepay.htm SEC. 628. FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS OVERTIME PAY REFORM ACT OF 1998. (a) IN GENERAL.

Alun Whittaker   |March.05.2008 Another Letter for the Times-Herald's Shredder The Editor, Dear Sir: Is Vallejo in such a unique situation? Tuesday, the City of Sacramento announced large-scale employee buy-outs and lay-offs to help forestall an estimated $68 million budget deficit. The reported cause is unsustainably high pay increases built into public employee contracts. Earlier San Diego, Chico, Watsonville, and Salinas all reported inbound budget crises. San Francisco has announced plans to restructure it's retirement plan because it can't afford its retirees' benefit costs. Further afield, Baltimore is struggling with its fire union to bring down budget-breaking overtime hours. And yes, New York City is once again predicting the biggest ever budget meltdown. Finally, let's not forget the strikes, marches and street rioting in France and Germany over the national budget breaking public employee pay and benefit plans. Different cities, different city councils, different political constitutions. Just one common element: public employees' long-term contracts, with hard-wired pay increases, early retirement ages, and lavish benefit plans. These were made back in the 80s and 90s, when folks thought they had found the rainbow's end, and we were all going to be rich and happy forever. Well they were wrong, and we're not. So let's quit bellyaching over who's to blame, and do what we need to do to fix the problem.

Katy Miessner   |March.05.2008 The Safety Unions took advantage of a bedroom community with an apathetic and easily swayed populace. They took advantage by dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into campaigns, lawsuits from Henke against council and community members, and claims that the City was hiding money as we slid further and further towards bankruptcy. Now Henke is telling people that the reason public safety is 74%-80% of the budget is because other services are paid by enterprise funds. What he doesn't say is that ALL cities do this and it would actually be illegal for the City to pay for public safety expenses with enterprise funds. The Public Safety spin-meisters are at it again. And, FYI, the City dropped their lawsuits against the Safety Unions, but Henke hasn't dropped his appeal of his "defamation of character" lawsuits against 2 council members, a city manager and a work colleague of his, lawsuits that were thrown out by the Solano Cty Superior Court. And what did the council majority do on Monday night? The axact same thing all council majorities have done to get us into this situation. They voted on a plan that--yet again--just defers to the future what we must face now. If you paid attention, you would have realized that the plan from February, the one that suggested public safety unions would take a 15% cut, is gone. Now we have a 4-month plan where public safety takes a 6.5% cut. But remember, they have already been given 8.5% for July-February. They go down by 6.5% for four months. I know its hard for people to give back what they already got, but they will still have done very well for the year. If you average those raises--8.5% for 8 mos and 2% for 4 mos--you get an average raise for the year of 6.3%. Tuesdays plan also has them going back up to the 8.5% as if July 1. And what about other raises due on July 1 for next year? Juxtipose this against the fact that the City already acknowledged in their Feb 13 plan that they must have the safety unions roll back their salaries by 15% in order for us to become solvent. To assume that they will agree to this--as the Council majority does--is ill-advised. The council should very clearly know how we got here. We got here through deferments deferments deferments and generosity that we could never afford. And so what did they do on Monday? Defer. Defer, while giving up our negotiating leverage, the lawsuits the City had against the unions.

On Fire   |March.05.2008 phoenix, While I think your welcome to your opinion, I am sick and tired of the games the unions have been playing and the players who think the public is not capable of figuring out what is going on. kurt and his henkettes have been tearing this city apart for years and yet some continue to say they are only doing their job. Apparently none of these people have ever been on the bad side of the henkettes or had a campaign of hate waged on them. Even sitting on the sidelines can make one angry about the games they play. You can only rid yourself of illness by getting to the root of the problem and irradicating it. henke needs to be irradicated. Then and only then can the body of Vallejo begin to heal.

Firebug   |March.05.2008 Let's see union buys council members, bought Council members hire s city manager that negotiates a way way generous unaffordable contract, bought council then votes for contract and the union has no culpability in this? Another great fairy tale from our fireslackers. Asking for more revenue in this situation is like porky pig complaining that his portions are too small.

phoenix   |March.05.2008 These diatribes are getting out of hand. While the safety unions bear a portion of the responsibility for our current situation they are NOT the cause. Oh my God, what a concept! They negotiated for their members, the City signed those contracts. The City Council and senior management allowed the City to become bankrupt. There was no fiscal controls or adequate long range financial plan. Over the last five years we have lost almost 20% of our workforce and we are still facing bankruptcy. Where are our revenue sources? Where is our commercial and industrial base? Did Lenare get a sweetheart deal to develop Mare Island? Is everyone paying their fair share?Bankruptcy is NOT the answer. Propert values will fall, businesses will be afraid to invest, and as usual the most vulnerable residents will end up getting screwed. It will not automatically terminate the labor contracts, it will only make money for the lawyers (some of whom are charging the City $500/hour).Bankruptcy does not help structural problems! What we need is serious negotiations with the unions and an independent outside audit of the way the City operates. I'm glad that the City's financial status has galvanized the citizens to get involved. The residents of the City deserve better than personal attacks and endless histrionics.

Caron Meleski   |March.05.2008 Should Vallejo is buring decides to run a recall movement, count me in. I am not the only Vallejoan ready to help.

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 I am sure Riley, with his handlebar mustache & cowboy boots, has a white hood hidden in his closet.

On Fire   |March.05.2008 Great job Marc! I heard yesterday's interview on KQED and I was glad that you hit some key issues facng Vallejo. The mayor's response to the concessions: It is what it is. One of the more interesting things the mayor is now coming out and stating that the city's move to get control over the out of control safety contracts was done out of vindictiveness. ? He most have missed what has gone on with the frivilous laws suits by henke, the failed attempt by riley to accuse Cloutier of threatening him, (both of which are still active even after the DA stated that he had no case) and the direct smear campaign against Council members. Maybe he was at the country club behind his house, playing golf? While I get it that he is trying to win the henkettes over, please don't try to sell me on how they have been mistreated. He wasn't paying attention when henke threatened to kick down the city manager's door if she didn't meet with him, or when henke brought numerous law suits against council members, city staff, members of the public and others, everytime anyone tried to point out his misdeeds. How much has this cost the city? Then he tries to cut a deal to have the tax payers foot his frivilous lawsuits while city services are being slashed and jobs cut! There probably would be les rancour if henke and the henkettes had not waged war against the city and the citizens for over ten years. All in the name of control and his supersized ego. Then they come to the podium each time preaching unity and their willingness to negotiate.(code for more concessions) The people are aware of these tactics and know better. We have witnessed their game playing too many years. There is little doubt that the mayor has to try this last ditch effort to keep the city from going bankrupt. But now the question is, at what cost? Will the mayor's ego become more important than the needs of the city? Will he want to win this at any cost? We shall see in the weeks ahead.

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 Looks like Vallejo isn't the only one with firefighter unions paying off the politicians...... Firefighter Raises Unrelated To Contributions, Officials Say Fairfax Union Is Top Giver in Supervisor Races By Bill Turque, Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, October 31, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/30/AR2007103002083 "The biggest single campaign contributor to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors doesn't put up homes, manage apartment complexes or develop shopping malls. "The International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2068 brings big money to the table: more than $100,000 in the past four years, nearly all of it going to Chairman Gerald E. Connolly (D) and the incumbent supervisors seeking reelection Tuesday, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. "During that four-year period, the union's 1,183 active firefighters and paramedics have received salary increases significantly higher than those of other county employees. Including merit raises, for which nearly half the force is eligible each year, firefighter pay has risen an average of 10.8 percent annually since 2004, according to county data. That is more than the police (9.3 percent) and far more than the general county workforce (4.4 percent), groups that contribute comparatively little to board campaigns."

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 No info on 1186, but Tanner has another meeting with the Chief of CalFire this week.

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 Check out the New York City firefighter salary and benefits comparison below...... Firefighter Benefits and Salary (New York City) http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/community/ff_salary_benefits_080106.shtml As a New York City Firefighter, you will receive an incredible benefits package and a competitive salary that more than doubles in your first five years on the job. Benefits include: Lifelong medical coverage for you and your family; Growth opportunities; Flexible work schedules; Up to four weeks paid vacation per year; Generous pension after 20 years of service. Firefighter Salary: BASE - FRINGE* - TOTAL STARTING SALARY $36,400 - $4,090 - $40,490 AFTER 1 YEAR $38,194 - $6,153 - $44,347 AFTER 2 YEARS $41,600 - $6,702 - $48,302 AFTER 3 YEARS $45,760 - $7,372 - $53,132 AFTER 4 YEARS $50,440 - $8,126 - $58,566 AFTER 5 YEARS $68,475 - $18,043 - $86,518 Promotion Opportunities: BASE - FRINGE* - TOTAL Lieutenant $84,421 - $35,250 - $119,671 Captain $96,903 - $43,270 - $140,173 Battalion Chief $126,178 - $19,467 - $145,645 * Fringe benefits reflect overtime, holiday pay and other differentials

Enquirer   |March.05.2008 Rumor has it, that the Vallejo Fire Department personel are not happy with the way Henke has been representing them, very heavy handed, not making nice with the community, worried the "village people" are getting ready with their verbal torches to the news media... Anyone has have any "insider" information on this development?

Anonymous   |March.05.2008 Local 1186 Handout Flyer http://www.ff1186.com/HANDOUT.pdf A MESSAGE FROM YOUR POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS For more information, Call (707) 648-1186 or visit www.ff1186.com City hall will lay off paramedics if firefighters refuse to cut minimum staffing City Hall has not rescinded the lay offs of 14 paramedics

On Fire   |March.04.2008 If the pay structure doesn't suit the employees, they can go elsewhere in an environment that suits their lifestyle. It doesn't matter how much more revenue comes into the city, it will always be swollowed up by the employee contracts if Vallejo doesn't change the way it does business. We need performance based salary increases with a cost of living raise each year. Salary increases without any performance evaluation is not found in private industry or other government employment. The city's expenditures should always be less than the revenue. Our economic situation will not change for the next few years and no walmart or casino will help keep this city operating based on the current contracts. Period We keep hearing from Nichelini (and Parker)that he has received calls from other city's asking for our employees. That's great news. It's reassuring to know that anyone who is not happy with their pay have an option. Then the city can restructure the salary scales so that the tax payers can get overall city services. Higher paid fire and police don't bring additional revenues. A fully staffed public works, planning department, code enforcement, and economic development dept. bring more revenues. It isn't City Councils job to bring in revenues. They set policy for the city. A council that doesn't have to use 80 percent of it's time devoted to fighting about contracts can help move this city forward.

Good Bye   |March.04.2008 Just heard on Channel 2 OPD is offering a $25,000 hiring bonus to lateral police officers plus $100,000 a year to start. Good bye VPD. There will be no BK, There is no one to pay.

Silas Barnabe   |March.04.2008 I have yet to find a general fund in a city like Vallejo that proves vallejo's revenues are too small especially the 70 percent number thrown around. Vallejo's general fund is in line with Fairfiled, Vacaville, and Hayward from researching the general fund of each city, the fact is we pay too much for public safety here.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 On Fire, I understand your concerns, and I have no way to know why he came to VPD. But, I understand he was a highly qualified candidate(several years in OPD and a Cal Berkeley graduate). What if his father was a sergeant? He could not work in Vallejo despite his qualifications? Sounds Un-Constitutional to me..but I'm not sure.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 I blame the people who voted for the members of the city council who are in the pockets of the union and above all incompetent to do the job. These members of the city council do not care about Vallejo. They only care about themselves and the power that comes from being a public official. They have a misguided view of why they were elected in the first place. Special mention... Sunga, Hannigan, Wilson

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Nepotism: Favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives, as in business. So you tell me why his son who worked in alledged "better working conditions" wanted to come to Vallejo? Why, if Oakland has better pay, less overtime, and a better economic situation would he transfer to Vallejo? Who in the VPD would have stood up to the Chief to say no? If he is brought up on some disciplinary action and it goes up the ranks, and finally reaches his dad, what happens then? It won't matter which way his decision goes, there will always be doubt if he came to that decision because it was his son. Why even go down that road? Good employment policy always includes an anti-neoptism. Just makes good sense. But especially in Vallejo, where we know there has been a lack of fair hiring practices particularly within the police and fire depts.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 Mad in N. Vallejo, Close...the city should receive a level of public safety it can afford. The problem is the City has failed to generate the income required to afford the level of service it needs. While the employees are paid very well, it's not significantly above market level. The overall problem is much deeper. While the City pays 80 percent to public safety, revenue is about 70 percent of what it should be.

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.04.2008 No. Public Safety employees should get paid what their city can afford. Period.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 Mad in N. Vallejo, Let me see if I follow your logic... Public safety employees in the high income locations should be paid the most, and those in the low income locations should be paid the least? That makes a lot of sense...

Lisa Myles   |March.04.2008 Wow, I love your style at council meetings, Mayor Davis. You threaten the public, turn off the microphones and take a "recess" and walk away with the other Henkeites on the council when the going gets tough. That's neither mayoral NOR Christian, Mr. Mayor. I'll bet you aren't so glad you "won" the election now, huh? Maybe it was not the smartest idea to have your supporters involved in the alleged recount toss those ballots in the trash. Then this would all be Gary Cloutier's mess to deal with. But you, Henke and the Gang of Five made your bed. Now lie in it and have an orgy. Eeeewwwww!

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 On Fire, Gomes inquired as to the status of the "Nepotism Policy" not the Anti-Nepotism Poliy. Tell me why the hiring of the Chief's son involved favortism, or as you call it nepotism. Wasn't he well qualified for the position, or doesn't that matter?

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 Hey Mad in N.Vallejo, I hear OPD is hiring and they start at about 100k a year. With a little OT you should make 125k or more. Why don't you apply and start making that big money. Oh wait, I forget I know why, the background, psychological test, lie detector test, medical? Which one is it?

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.04.2008 The median income for a household in the city was $47,030, and the median income for a family was $53,805. Males had a median income of $40,132 versus $32,129 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,415. About 7.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over. And Vallejo's finest make 3 times that amount, not to mention most of them don't live here! Peoples pay need to be more realistic with the area they're working for. THIS AIN'T BEVERLY HILLS!

On Fire   |March.04.2008 anon, the city indeed has a "policy of nepotism" as recently evidenced by the hiring of Nichelini's son. The policy has allowed dept.'s to hire with no restrictions. The anti-nepotism policy has yet to be inacted. Luckily according to the Mayor, the anti-nepotism policy will be in place shortly. Just so you know.

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.04.2008 "why would any officer or fireman want to come here when they can make more some where else for themselves and their familes and their furture...isn't that what its all about?" Silent but deadly, they are the highest paid on the west coast. You can't put a price on saving lives but yet the majority of them made above $140,000. And I believe the median income in Vallejo is $50,000. The average Public Works employee makes 50-65k. And they risk their lives too. But they will be the first to be layed off. I'm a Public Works employee in Marin County. I knew better to get a job with my own city because of the police and fire unions. I would've loved to work for the city that I call home, but the risk of getting layed off was to high, so we can continue to get ripped off by greedy contracts of the police and fire department?! Everyone needs to take a pay cut. There's living phat, and there's living high on the hog. Tanner, Henke, police, fire, are hogging our money. But those real cuts will never happen

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Maybe silent but dealy was referring to the astute sunga and intuitive hannigan with his reference of Fairfield's council being more educated and smart. That I would agree. I can't imagine a vote in the recent months that was more important than last night and if not for the pointed questions from Gomes and Schivley, the public may have not been as informed as to what was on the line with their vote. Rubber stamping staffs recommendation has lead to bad decisions in the past. (Martinez' rosey financial forcast) It smacks of back room deals that have been discussed and decided upon prior to sitting at the dias.

anon   |March.04.2008 What a bunch of idiots...it's not a policy of nepotism, it's an anti-nepotism policy.

anonymous   |March.04.2008 "Silent, but dealy", you're just another statistic on this blog...You work in Vallejo, but do not live here! Are you sure you're not with the FD or PD! From the comment you made about Mr. Cloutier, you could have passed for a Henketer puppet. I own a home in Vallejo, pay my taxes, shop, play, & contribute to the overall better quality of life in this town! Just for the record, I am a college educated individual who has an outstanding career with a successful Bio-Tech Corporation. Leave your praise for other Cities elsewhere... "Thank god fairfield council and other cities in solano county have well educated and smart people on their councils". Speaking about well educated, "proprtey", is spelled property!

John C   |March.04.2008 Hey, I didn't put those goofy characters in there...

John C   |March.04.2008 People, listen to our edinator: http://www.kqed.org/programs/radio/forum/ Tue, Mar 4, 2008 -- 90 AM Vallejo Bankruptcy Listen (RealMedia stream) Download (MP3) (Windows: right-click and choose "Save Target As." Mac: hold Ctrl, click link, and choose "Save As." The Vallejo City Council voted last night on a deal with its public safety unions that may help the city avoid filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. But will it be enough? Host: Michael Krasny Guests: Carolyn Jones, reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle's East Bay Bureau Dean Gloster, partner at the San Francisco Law Firm of Farella, Braun and Martel Marc Garman, editor of the Vallejo Independent Bulletin, an online publication for a watchdog group over the City of Vallejo (Mayor Davis and Mr Henke also were guests)

On Fire   |March.04.2008 So silent and dealy, (as in make a deal?) you must be confused and thought you were posting on the T-H blog. But just to make a point, since the police on the east coast make less, are they less qualified? Because that's what I keep hearing from the cheerleaders. The only reason that our VPD is paid so much is because they are more educated and qualified than other cities? So the poor people on the east coast must really be suffering from high levels of crime? My goodness, since the fire dept. in New York makes about half of what they do in Vallejo, are the residents in danger of loosing their lives because their FD isn't as educated? Should we warn them? Funny, henkee live in the Napa Fire District but he doesn't seem too worried that his house will burn down. I have friends and family that work for various cities both in police and fire. I love telling them how superior our safety employees are over them. I always get a good laugh when telling them that our dept.'s are so much more qualified and the reason I know is because we pay them so much more.

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Oh by the way, not even a day goes by and the VPD boys are all gathered at the PAL building for some big pow wow. Can somebody tell me why at a time when the city is facing bankruptcy that the police are able to drive city vehicles to a union meeting? Who is watching the city? Who is paying for the gas and wear and tear of the cars, motorcycles and such? We can thank the current council for relaxing the UBL policy and having the tax payers foot the bill. You would think they could drive their own cars there. Didn't Nicolini say last night that they had old cars and needed replacements? Did they say that they now have to pay fuel cost up front due to our financial problems? So why would you put more wear and tear on them, and gas up to go to a union meeting? Thank you Osby, Hanniga and Wiltee!

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Speaking of history, the same union henkeetes tried to bully a former city manager and tried to turn the public against her, Penny Barclay. She was given her marching orders from Council when they hired her and told her to clean up the departments and make them run more efficiantly. She found that the then Finance Director, Ken Campo was doing a lot of creative financing and when she asked him to straighten up, he refused. So he was canned and the Exline crew went bullistic. There were several people that were taking up space with no real purpose and getting fat paychecks that either retired or let. She was continuously being attacked by henke and he would scream about kicking her door down if she didn't meet with him. He eventually was fired for insubordination, interferring with the City Manager and a host of other charges. He had been so used to having his way that he thought he could get away with it. Too bad the next City Manager gave him his job back. Who knows how much further along the city would be without his controlling the city and council members. But some employees have had too much power over the operation of the city and when they meet someone who won't back down, (Tanner) they try their best to get rid of them. I predict that the funded four will now go after Tanner and try to get him fired. Watch for comments meant to set this up. Sunga and Hannigan have already started. The nerve of someone like Hannigan questioning the track record of Tanner. She, who sits doodling and sleeping during council meetings and only raises her head to read her riley script! But mark my words, it's coming. The only thing standing in place and keeping henkee becoming the next fire chief is Tanner.

Tony Dungy   |March.04.2008 Hey Silent, but dealy!! Read my book and learn how to spell your own name.

Silent, but dealy!!   |March.04.2008 Kris.....to answer your question....he is probably some where having a drink and maybe even driving and drinking again?! One person said firefighters on the east coast make about 36,000 to 40,000? maybe true, but look up real estate and you can still buy a house under 100,000 in many places on the east coast. maybe police and fire make more here because the cost of living is os much higher...makes sense to me? Police and fire can give up 6.5 % now and you know the PD won't get any of the raises oweded to them over the next couple of years which I believe was 5 and 5. so lets see, 6.5, 5 and 5 = 16.5% so far, how much more do they need to take. council, ever thought about bringing more business to this city of gloom? we all work for one reason and that is to pay our bills, have what we have and retirement someday. why would any officer or fireman want to come here when they can make more some where else for themselves and their familes and their furture...isn't that what its all about? you may think......who cares about 200 or 300 public employees wages, but don't be fooled peeps, you are the ones that will really suffer because your services will be cut drastically and that means slower response times for police and fire which may cause you to lose your proprtey, your house may burn down or one of your love ones won't survive because time is such a precious thing when it comes to life or death? I am sad, I work in the city of Vallejo, but I don't live there so I won't truly suffer like you citizens will from the lack of services. Thank god fairfield council and other cities in solano county have well educated and smart people on their councils. Good luck Vallejo and to police and fire...there is no fair price or wage for a man or woman to give his or her life to save another so thank you for what you do. silent, but deadly...night shift.

iomJN   |March.04.2008 You mean Mr. Gregerson that let the union boys run rough shod over him and the city? It was a good day when he left.

indisgyz   |March.04.2008 anyone remember Mark Gregerson, former Vallejo HR Director? I bet he's smiling in his beer right about now...he was a big part of the mess we're dealing with now....know your history, or be doomed to repeat it.....

On Fire   |March.04.2008 He was at the first town hall meeting and spoke about the financial crisis. He is keeping up with the issues and I agree with Wicked. As nasty as the Osby followers and the henkettes have been, I would want to be a moving target for them or become a disstraction from the issues at hand.

Wicked   |March.04.2008 From the boo's and jeer's he's subjected to from Osby's supporters, I would be absent too. Osby Davis calls for a recess every time someone says something that makes him uncomfortable, yet I've never heard him ask the people who rudely BOO Stephanie G and Joanne S to stop.

Kris   |March.04.2008 I'm surprised that Gary Cloutier has been absent during this crisis; I would expect him to be at the council meetings to at least express his constituents'ideas/concerns. He did get half the city's vote, so where is he?

Denise Martin   |March.04.2008 On Fire: Thank you.

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Denise, I believe the nepotism policy had been pulled as a basis for this negotiation for the VPOA. Although the mayor stated that it would come back for discussion as a seperate item later this year. But don't hold your breath. The VPD has not adhered to the city's hiring policy for several years. They hire who they want and then send them down to HR to be put onto the payroll instead of the other way around. I understand that the HR doesn't even know who is working or volunteering down at the VPD. This is partly why there are bad feelings with the other employees in Vallejo. Some departments get preferential treatment when it comes to hiring while others have to follow policy.

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Did anyone hear anything about how much overtime the ff.'s will be using between now and the end of June? I didn't see anything in the budget for overtime. The presumption was that since they were closing down two stations, there would be no overtime. But I don't think they took into account that henke will be using as much UBL as possible during the next 45 days and so there will be overtime needed to back fill henke's position as well as anyone else they bring to the table. Maybe Tanner needs to limit the number of union people at the table. Someone said there were several union people attending the negotiations. This means we will not only go broke faster due to overtime, but if we are already short on manpower, there will be even less people to actually do the work they are paid to do.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 Sorry, Vallejo, no help from the State of California either...... California Stops Insuring State's Municipal Bonds (CNBC) By Charles Gasparino, On-Air Editor | 04 Mar 2008 | 046 AM ET http://www.cnbc.com/id/23455044 The country's largest issuer of municipal bonds, the state of California, has decided to stop using municipal-bond insurance, a huge blow to the struggling industry, CNBC has learned. "In the current market--and given the condition of the bond insurers--it makes no sense," Tom Dresslar, the Director of Communication for California State Treasurers Office, told CNBC. "There's no value to the taxpayer."

Denise Martin   |March.04.2008 One of the questions to City Manager Tanner by either Councilwoman Gomes or Councilwoman Schively was whether he had agreed to nullify Vallejo's nepotism policy, which he voiced he had although he strongly believed the City needed a nepotism policy. Does anyone know if this policy nullification was a condition of the Public Safety Unions and if so, why?

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 Wall Street also mentions Vallejo. They know about Vallejo's bond ratings. Check out the Bloomberg quote below...... Vallejo, California Officials Approve Labor Pacts (Bloomberg) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ajGCMsOz53Tw "Standard & Poor's on Feb. 21 placed $59 million of city bonds under review for a possible downgrade. That debt, backed by water-system revenue, motor-vehicle license fees and special district property assessments, is currently rated A and A-, the sixth- and seventh-highest investment grades, respectively. "Holders of that debt have tendered more than $13 million of the bonds since talk of bankruptcy surfaced last month, Mayer said." To contact the reporters on this story: Michael B. Marois in Sacramento at mmarois@bloomberg.net; Last Updated: March 4, 2008 12:47 EST

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 WOW, Vallejo is definitely making the rounds. Mentioned in blog article below that also says City of Sacramento and the Arizona state budgets are in deep, deep trouble as well...... Grim News in Arizona State Budget and Sacramento City Budget http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/03/grim-news-in-arizona-state-budget-and "No wonder Vallejo is in trouble. A starting salary of $85,000 for firefighters is absurd. The starting salary for New York City Firefighters was $36,400 (2006 data). Chicago starting firefighter salary is $40,000+ (2006 data). The best thing for Vallejo taxpayers would be bankruptcy and compete renegotiation of union contracts."

On Fire   |March.04.2008 Good job to all that participated. Although we already knew that the funded four had already made up their minds prior to the vote, (as evidenced by the prepared statements they had with the exception of maybe Bartee) the process spot lighted the fact that Hannigan, Wilson and Sunga don't have a clue what they are doing. Not a question or importance from the lot of them. They, along with the mayor, have shown that they are will to violate public policy by looking the other way when public funds are misused, as long as they get their agenda. Big thanks to Schivley and Gomes who were the only ones you could count on to ask the hard questions. Or any questions for that matter. If the next month doesn't bare out the fantasy financing and this city goes broke prior to the bills being paid, they will all become liable for their bad judgement. Recall will then be possible for the two newly weds as they will have been in office for 90 days. While I hope that some solution could come from these negotiations, history has shown that it is all posturing and setting up council for yet another level of concessions for the unions, and nothing for the citizens. We will now have to stay vigilant and keep and eye out for what they city will try to sell/give away in order to try to make their fantasy financing work.

Firebug   |March.04.2008 got it oneder, for over two decades at the federal level we have had politicians run on a "tax cuts" platform. Right now at our State Assembly the Dems and Repubs are playing a game of chicken to see who will mention "tax hikes" first. Tax hikes or not I don't think any of that relief will help Vallejo in its situation in the coming months. I also agree with silas that davis has alienated the 2/3 majority he would need to pass a tax here.

Oneder   |March.04.2008 Firebug, It was just a thought about society.

Firebug   |March.04.2008 oneder, How do you figure vallejo pays low taxes? J.D. Miller did an excellent comparison between Vallejo and Fairfiled and we actuall pay $70 per capita more than Fairfield and get much less service.

oneder   |March.04.2008 My thoughts, Let the police retire and open up the gun laws allow people to protect themselves. Allow anyone to carry concealed or openly for that matter and let the theifs and crooks take their chances and if Vallejo is any thing like most states crime will drop and move to other communities. this will give some immediate revenue by the fees to get the concealed carry permits and will cut on the need for some of the police department it self. Of course this is way overly simplified but at least a thought someone should play out a little bit. We all say we want this and that and.... from our city/state/government but also want to bay next to nothing in taxes. If you want low taxes you also want low service. I'm affraid too many people all want handouts or a lot of services like you would get at a 5 start hotel or resteraunt but want to pay McDonalds prices. We want a better city. Get involved and make it a better city. Don't depend on the police department to do it. Talk to your neighbors and let the bad elements (whoever they may be, white, black or purple) know that you are watching them and will not tolerate misbehavior in your neighborhood. Thats right YOUR neighborhood. Whether you own property or just rent, you live in it, its your neighborhood. Lets create an environment where we can easily raise our families and lean on one another rather the city officials. this will also ease the burden.

black eye   |March.04.2008 Gomes brought up some interesting pillow talk statements last night at the counsel meeting, wonder where she got those ideas from....

Firebug   |March.04.2008 I have also looking at the city charter online, what a vague piece of doo doo http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/vallejo/

Alun Whittaker   |March.04.2008 Well yes, the previous revision of Osby's Rules of Order said you couldn't address specific council members, but last night there seemed to be an exception if you began: "Mr Mayor I want to thank you for...". Then, following the two times he shut down proceedings, it seemed the new rule became: "Though shalt address the entire council or the mayor, who art the embodiment of the the entire council, except that thou shalt not speak any ill of the Mayor. If thou transgresseth this law, then the Lord High Mayor shall stop play and take his ball home!" Writing about it here is fun but please everyone you should write to the City Attorney (cityatty@ci.vallejo.ca.us) protesting Davis riding roughshod over the City Charter, and the Rules of Order. At home, he may get his own way by throwing tantrums, but this is the grownup world and he has to learn to play nicely. Oops, third ingredient in my mixed metaphor - strike out!

Firebug   |March.04.2008 Yeah Alun I noticed that too. Mostly the council follows roberts rules of order. I found this on the ACLU page http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/32500prs20071023 I wonder if Sam might have a case here. I also noticed Mad Dog shshing boo's but he did nothing to quiet the "cheers"

Alun Whittaker   |March.04.2008 Mad Dog Davis was on a tear last night: improvising riffs of the City Charter, re-inventing rules of order, and acting as defense counsel for the fire union. If that's the way Davis behaves when he's on the winning side, the Council Chamber may need to keep a straight jacket and muzzle on hand in case he ever loses a vote! Separated at birth? I'm really having trouble keeping track of which Davis is the impartial chair of the city council, and which is the advocate hired by Local 1186.

Sials Barnabe   |March.04.2008 Robert, It is an interesting theory, I wonder if a citizens group like the waterfront group could take legal action to force the city to undo letting the UBL scandal go? If the city doesn't have the money perhaps they might be amendable to avoid a prolonged court battle? It would also serve them to "save face" if they had to remove that from the deal and put Henke in the spotlight if he rejected the deal soley on the basis to have charges of abusing public funds dropped. Considering abolone diving, BBQ's and drunken escapades are some of the charges I wouldn't think he would want anymore attention on this than a lawsuit could give. I would be happy to donate to this cause if that action is taken.

Robert   |March.04.2008 Not sure what happened ...Well yes, my comments here fully assume bankruptcy is a forgone conclusion and thats the theory I believe the city negotiators are operating under. If we dont actually opt for bankruptcy my language will become more colorful.

Robert   |March.04.2008 Well yes, my comments here fully assume bankruptcy is a forgone conclusion and that

Silas Barnabe   |March.04.2008 Robert, If your implication is "good faith" wouldn't part of that being passing a tax? Mr. Davis has failed to work with all of or even majority of community in good faith to get support for this act of good faith. I also cannot understand how "forgiving abuse of public funds" is an act of good faith for all vallejoans. I am still not getting the angle here, unless what you say is true and that the city will ultimately enter into bankruptcy, but unlike you I beleive all these concessions are the last sweatheart kiss this corrupt council can give its major contributors.

Robert   |March.04.2008 I believe the very generous concessions city staff gave the unions were necessary. Were actually in the bankruptcy court right now although the formal proceedings have not begun; all of the steps we take today will be carefully considered. Its going to be a very difficult decision for the judge to rule in favor of dissolution of the labor contracts. For the judge to do this the city must go into the bankruptcy proceedings having demonstrated an overwhelming effort to resolve any disputes and find a solution. For those of us that want bankruptcy to happen this bitter pill must be swallowed to achieve the end goal of new contracts.

Silas Barnabe   |March.04.2008 The odd thing about Davis behavior is that he can't be serious about getting a tax passed with out the super majority buy-in cearly which he doesn't have, and likely now will never get. I keep wondering what the other angle is here, Casino? LNG? none would ever fund the $14,000,000 needed just to break even, and keep the city in the terrible state it is in today.

Anonymous   |March.04.2008 my favorite part of this sell out by the gang of five is that the fire department union business leave scandal was swept under the rug. the possibility that they looted our coffers of hundreds of thousands of dollars with ridiculous business leave is now not going to be litigated or prosecuted. imagine getting paid to go abalone diving or getting paid to sleep off drunken benders. we gave away the whole store last night and got nothing in return. when the recall petition begins for the gang of 5 i will be first in line to sign it. this city is controlled by the fire department union and this is the reason we are going to go bankrupt in a few months. this sell out has no chance of working. the unions puppet council may as well go out and buy lottery tickets as they will have a much better chance of success. the part i loved at this meeting is watching erin hannigan sitting there all night dumbfounded, not a question not a word, nothing to add. just sitting there doodling and waiting for henke to pull her strings when it was time to vote. she is so out of her element up there. shame on you mr. mayor, mr. wilson, mr. bartee, mr. sunga and of course ms. hannigan (although i do not think she is smart enough to understand what shame is.) shame on all of you!

Sharpie   |March.03.2008 The silver lining of the vote today is that the council majority has been fully exposed for what they truly are doing. They are helping their friends reach high places and sweeping corruption under the rug. Thanks for showing your true colors. Wonderful that the press was there early in the evening to capture your efforts and document for the bay area. You now are the regional fools that only a handful of residents cared about before.

Tony Dungy   |March.03.2008 No, buy my book. Tony Dungy

Tony Dungee   |March.03.2008 Buy my book and learn from my life. Tony Dungee

euroresident   |March.03.2008 I see so much focus on the City and the emergency services that perhaps we now need to find some solutions. For what its worth I think we should look forward to the next election to make sure we change every single person who is currently holding a electable position. The City needs to attract business, yes that means companies that serve the well off and the poor. Our downtown should look like a downtown, to me that tends to mean a business hub containing service and retail industries. If this is done most of us can give up our commute and be working and spending in our City. Walnut Creek is a pretty good example. Vallejo is in a wonderful location - its amazing that the waterfront has never been developed to reflect this. The City of Dundee in Scotland is a great example of waterfront development. So, for me, pay our emergency services well, but make sure responsible and well educated people are elected and that progress is on the agenda of every city meeting. Nothing stays the same and it appears too many people have tried to preserve the City as a museum of the past which by all accounts wasn't much.

Wicked   |March.03.2008 Dear Mr. Waggener, I thank you for a job well done and appreciate you making my town a safer place. Thank you. However, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you choose your profession?? There isn't a draft for the police or fire dept is there?

Gerald F. Waggener   |March.03.2008 Nice photo of the union reps and the Mayor together! Suitable for framing? You Bet! You think that they are not supposed to be seen together? They have been tirelessly negotiating and meeting to try to help the city avert would could be the biggest mistake (chapter 9)in this city's history. I ask, what have you done for the city in this crisis? Let's all step forward and donate some money,whoops people did last week,how much was raised? Barely enough for a cup of gas station coffee. I wonder if any of the people on the council or those opposed to the unions would dare to do the job. Not for a few hours, but for a few weeks. See what it is like, Lack of sleep, bloodborn pathogens and disease on your skin and uniform at the end of the day, knowing each day that you may have saved a life, possibly your own, rolling around with an armed parolee who will think of killing you just because of what you stand for, missed kids birthdays, missed holidays, canceled vacations or family time because of mandatory court appearances, knowing every day when you leave for work that you may not return home. I wonder, how many of the council persons have gone on a ride along with the fire or police departments? If you are going to make war against the police and fire, then prepare to make friends with the criminals.

John K   |March.03.2008 Thank You Alun. Good call.

Last Word   |March.03.2008 Vallejo will get what Vallejo deserves............you figure it out.

Alun Whittaker   |March.03.2008 Ladies & Gentlemen: May I briefly interrupt the flame war to suggest that you stop lambasting each other and start preparing 3 minutes-worth of opinion, fact or both to present at tonight's Council Meeting. Writing to a blog may be fun but it is a little like yelling down a drain pipe. Don't expect anyone - who isn't sitting in the same sewer - to be listening. As a bonus, practicing to write to a 3 minute deadline, may help all your writing become more concise. OK, request made, interruption over, flame on!

From Vallejo Anonymous to anon   |March.03.2008 the anonymous from March 2, 2008 states... "What a mean, nasty, hateful site under the guise of intelligent discourse! If this is intelligent discourse I much rather converse with my dog. The hate and bitterness expressed here is toxic and reminds me why we are still fighting the battles of racism, sexism, etc. " this anonymous must certainly & obviously not live in Vallejo & would rather close his/her eyes & ears. Dirty laundry always stinks & unfortunately it can't be covered with a bouquet of roses.

Lemon Drop   |March.03.2008 Looks like Sparky is on fire...there is a response to the Our Turd now on the blog...hee, hee, hee

On Fire   |March.03.2008 Isn't intersting that the Editorial Board feels that they can lecture to the citizens yet they don't have their comments section open?

Sparky   |March.03.2008 Oooohweee, we done touched a nerve. This guy Anon-e-moose sure done post a lot of poop here. Wouldn't it be smarter to let the union boyz vote on this before the council gives the go-ahead? Gee did Wonderkind Davis think about the fact that the membership just might not go along with this boondoggle (I mean scheme)? What about the March 7th deadline to get the OK from those that quit this town (police & firefighters) to get half their pay on March 21st and the other half (hopefully) in December? Uh, why would the mayor and council vote on this maybe-possible-perhaps plan without having that secured. If any of them say no, them we got to pay 'em all to the tune of 4.75 to 5.5 MILLION dollars we don' have. And tell me you braniacs on the Union thugs side, didja not hear the city's own hired bankruptcy's lawyers say "do not use up all of your funds then file Chapter 9". The city will be at a ZERO balance on June 30th. Just a reminder, if the city does file bankruptcy, those who took the deferred payment will have to get in line behind ALL the other creditors to get paid. Say buh bye to those payments guys. Take off the blinders, accept the fact that the union thugs are selling the workers down the river - along with the city. We are all about to get screwed if the Gang of 4 plus Osby goes along. Yep, hard to believe that they would act directly against the people of Vallejo but that is exactly what they plan to do.

Firebug   |March.03.2008 What occurred to me as even being funnier than the bile on the TH is that it will only take a small minority not to pass the proposed taxes the city wants. I would have thought that Mayor Davis would have crafted his agreement to meet the satisfaction of us tiny band of fringers. He and the TH have pretty much assured that 67 percent of the voters will not support their tax proposals. Reading the quote on SFgate right from the Devil himself (Henke) saying that his members didn't really giveup much affirms that this so called "deal" stinks.

On Fire   |March.03.2008 Boy, one only has to read the blogs on the T-H to see why we are stuck in the eternal "blame game". I haven't seen a single post by those people that gives any evidence that they have read the negotiated document. This is why "things" happen to them and right under their noses. Then they spend all of their energy making their eyes bulge and blood pressure go up, screaming about things that will not solve anything. Who do they think put those elected officials in office? They did, yet they blame them for bad decisions. So who is really to blame?? Maybe it would be better to hand the keys over to police and fire and let them run the LNG, dredge pond, casino, wally mart wanting uninformed lot!

Al J. Love   |March.03.2008 To Vallejo Shouldn't Suck: I'm right there with ya buddy! Meet me out at the old K-Mart and bring yer tools 'cause we're gonna start buildin' that Super Walmart today! This land is my land and sometimes if I like you it's your land too. Yehaa! Let's get goin'! It ain't fair 'less it's laissez-faire! Free enterprise should be free! After we're done puttin' up our Walmart barn we can go have a good time exterminatin' the indigenous population. You sure are informed too 'bout the waterfront property going undeveloped for a 100 years except if you look at old maps of Vallejo and notice that the streets used to extend all the way down to the river, but who cares about being informed anyway let's build a nuclear power plant down there. Don't forget to bring yer tools and yer power plant kit. Yehaa! Slim Pickins rides again!

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 YEP, they're really laughing at us back east...... The snowball rolls from New Jersey to California - BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/28/the-snowball-rolls-from-new-jersey-to-california/ "The insolvency of Vallejo should come as no big surprise, and in fact Vallejo is just the leader of what will become a very large pack. Before the end of this year I envision the entire state government of California will be in tears due to a lack of spending cash. You've been warned, it's to become a nationwide trend." "Local governments are in the business of taking constructive dollars from the people who created them and then throwing them into the bottomless pit of entitlements, waste and graft. Now, the chickens have come home to roost, and they're big, mean, ugly chickens at that. So, cry me a river Vallejo. You'll soon be joined by the rest of your once hearty state." "Boondoggled naysayers have been laughing in my face for years while claiming that local governments can't go bankrupt. You cannot however, collect taxes from people who aren't working, and foreclosed properties don't generate much in property taxes. Guess who's laughing now."

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 FIREGEEZER BLOG - Go to link below and leave your comments...... THE CITY OF VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA, IS IN SERIOUS FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY. Thursday evening the City Council was going to consider voting on filing for bankruptcy. An 11th-hour agreement with the fire and police union officials have made it possible to forestall the bankruptcy, at least temporarily. This Wednesday and Thursday the members of IAFF Local 1186 will be voting on whether to accept the measure which would slash their wages by 6�%, close two fire stations and reduce total staffing to 1985 levels. The city has had declining economic fortunes since a local Navy base closed. That coupled with a shrinking tax base has put them in the precarious position where they will run out of cash by the end of this month. The salary obligations of the police and fire departments consume 80% of the city

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 FIREGEEZER BLOG - Go to link below and leave your comments...... Vallejo FF

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 Check out the california Firefighter's Blog below...... News: Public Safety faces cuts - Vallejo bankruptcy http://calfire.blogspot.com/2008/03/news-public-safety-faces-cuts-vallejo VALLEJO -- A tentative labor agreement designed to keep Vallejo out of bankruptcy court calls for police and fire employees taking a 6.5 percent pay cut, the closure of two fire engine companies and fewer on-duty staff members. The tentative agreement, reached Thursday and released Friday evening, is designed to close a $6 million general fund shortfall. It also provides for a one-year contract extension to 2011, but only if the two sides can work out a long-range fiscal plan by April 22. "Execution of the agreement will allow the parties a short period of time to develop and begin implementing a plan that aligns revenue and expenditures in FY 2008-09 and beyond," City Manager Joe Tanner's report to the council says. Under the tentative agreement, police and fire unions and the city would hire a mediator to assist with talks through April 22 on service reductions, revenues enhancements and labor agreement modifications. The agreement goes before the City Council in a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. If approved, the tentative agreement would then go to the fire and police unions' rank and file for ratification or rejection. Fire union members are expected to vote on the agreement Wednesday and Thursday, said Kurt Henke, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1186. Police union members will cast write-in ballots next weekend, said public safety attorney Alan Davis. Besides the 6.5 percent salary rollback, police and fire would also forego a 1.5 percent increase due them through the remainder of this fiscal year. The closure of the two fire engine companies would reduce fire staffing levels to 1985 levels. "These are major concessions which are arguably going to have major impacts on public safety," Davis said. The agreement also puts some restrictions on union business leave, and dismisses a variety of public safety grievances. By reducing police minimum staffing levels, the agreement could halt the department arbitration proceedings over minimum staffing in their tracks. Arbitrator Tom Angelo has not yet rendered a decision. Mayor Osby Davis told an overflow crowd at City Hall on Thursday that the tentative agreement calls for significant concessions from public safety employees, but is only a temporary fix to Vallejo's fiscal crisis. The 11th hour deal reached Thursday afternoon postponed the council's evening decision on whether to file for bankruptcy. Source: MercNews

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 California City Moves Closer to Bankruptcy Filing (Update3) By Michael B. Marois and William Selway http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ajxCNoS2DEzE Feb. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Vallejo, a city of 135,000 outside of San Francisco, moved closer to bankruptcy after negotiations with its labor unions collapsed. Bondholders will likely be asked to sacrifice some of their investment if the city seeks bankruptcy protection, an attorney for the municipality said last night. Vallejo faces ballooning labor costs and declining housing-related sales-tax revenue, leaving budget officials projecting that money will run out within weeks. The city council is scheduled to consider a resolution tomorrow to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection, after negotiations with labor unions to win salary concessions broke down Monday. If approved, Vallejo would become the biggest city and second-largest local government in the state after Orange County to file for bankruptcy. Municipalities throughout California are grappling with billions of dollars in labor and pension cost increases incurred during the late 1990s. The crisis comes as the worst housing slump in the U.S. in 26 years saps tax revenue. The state's own $16 billion deficit led Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last month to declare a fiscal emergency. Bondholders are ``creditors who would have to come to the table and it may be possible to adjust how much you are paying them and on what time period, which would, in effect, free up money that could be used as part of the plan to resolve the city's problems on a longer-term basis.'' John Knox, a public finance attorney with the law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, told the city council last night. `Last Resort' Vallejo faces a $6 million shortfall and won't have money left to pay salaries as of March 31, according to the city manager's office. The deficit is expected to grow to $13 million during the coming fiscal year, beginning July 1, according to budget documents. Police and firefighting salaries, pension and overtime consumes $63.1 million, or about 74 percent of the city's $85 million general fund budget. The city has slashed $13 million in spending since December 2006, firing 47 workers. ``Bankruptcy is a last resort,'' said councilwoman Joanne Schivley. ``But guess what folks, that's where we are now at.'' Standard & Poor's on Feb. 21 changed its outlook to negative from stable on $59 million of city bonds. That debt, backed by water-system revenue, motor vehicle license fees and special district property assessments, is rated A and A-, the sixth- and seventh-highest investment grades. Big Impact Clark Stamper, who oversees $600 million of municipal bonds at Stamper Capital & Investments, including Vallejo debt, said a bankruptcy filing could encourage other California communities to consider the step should the city persuade a judge to reopen labor agreements. ``What happens in Vallejo is going to be the model for what happens across the state,'' Stamper said yesterday. ``It will have a big impact.'' Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code deals specifically with municipal governments such as cities, counties and school districts, allowing them to reorganize their debts and come up with a way to pay them off. If the city seeks bankruptcy protection, basic government services such as police and firefighting, would continue. The filing would freeze all creditor claims while city officials devise a plan to solve the financial troubles. That plan would need approval by the court, which could dissolve the labor contracts that aren't set to expire until 2010. Compounded Woes Vallejo was home to the West Coast's first naval shipyard, which was shuttered in 1996. The area has been one of the hardest hit in Northern California by the housing market slump. Home prices in Solano County dropped 19 percent in January from the year before, according to DataQuick Information Systems, a firm that tracks real-estate in the state. Compounding the city's woes is lost tax revenue when above- normal rains damped attendance at a local Six Flags Inc. marine world amusement park, one of the 10 largest employers in the county. Orange County in Southern California filed the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history in December 1994 after former Treasurer Robert Citron's wrong-way bet on interest-rate derivatives sold by Merrill Lynch & Co. lost $1.6 billion. The county of 3 million people is the third-most populous in California after Los Angeles and San Diego. Bankruptcy Stigma Desert Hot Springs, a town of 20,000 people north of Palm Springs, filed for bankruptcy in 2001, when it couldn't afford a legal judgment of almost $6 million. Both Orange County and Desert Hot Springs sold municipal bonds to pay creditors and emerge from bankruptcy. Three years ago, the threat of bankruptcy loomed in San Diego as three mayoral candidates said a filing was one option for dealing with the city's soaring pension indebtedness to police and other employees. Jerry Sanders, who won the election, never pursued that step. Half Moon Bay, a small town south of San Francisco, has also considered bankruptcy because of a legal judgment handed down in November in a dispute with a real estate developer. ``Bankruptcy is a bad idea,'' Vallejo resident Andy Russo told the council during a standing-room-only informational hearing last night in city hall. ``The stigma of bankruptcy will stick to us for a long, long time.'' To contact the reporter on this story: Michael B. Marois in Sacramento at mmarois@bloomberg.net ; William Selway in San Francisco at wselway@bloomberg.net . Last Updated: February 27, 2008

Firebug   |March.03.2008 Besides today's TH article complaining about free speach by condemming the protesters on Saturday's union press conference; did anyone notice that the cool calm biased demeanor of the editor has changed to very much like the emotional bile here?

Anonymous   |March.03.2008 BANKRUPTCY is the ONLY option. Too late to raise revenues the old fashioned way...... Chapter 9 - Bankruptcy Basics http://www.uscourts.gov/bankruptcycourts/bankruptcybasics/chapter9 Powers of the Debtor Due to statutory limitations placed upon the power of the court in a municipal debt adjustment proceeding, the court is far less involved in the conduct of a municipal bankruptcy case (and in the operation of the municipal entity) while the debtor's financial affairs are undergoing reorganization. The municipal debtor has broad powers to use its property, raise taxes, and make expenditures as it sees fit. It is also permitted to adjust burdensome non-debt contractual relationships under the power to reject executory contracts and unexpired leases, subject to court approval, and it has the same avoiding powers as other debtors. Municipalities may also reject collective bargaining agreements and retiree benefit plans without going through the usual procedures required in chapter 11 cases.

Silas Barnabe   |March.03.2008 Black eye: your assertion is the most hilarious yet. "When other cities it's size, with simular crime rates are vary comparable to Vallejo and are making very close to the same wages. They will continue to get raises, along with shift differentials and benifits and will soon pass Vallejo. Then our trained professionals will leave to go to these other departments and Vallejo will become a stepping stone for people to get training, get off probation and leave" This test was already performed and well sorry to say your hypotheses failed when the vallejo paramedics had standing offers for jobs last June from Hayward they decided to stay in Vallejo because I think some of you said they "love vallejo". Hayward is larger then Vallejo, staffs more Police and Fire and has a comparable general fund yet they spend only 66 percent of their general fund on the same services.

black eye   |March.03.2008 To on fire, I think the police and fire fighters work for the city, they don't run the city, so maybe you need to poing your finger in the other direction..

On Fire   |March.03.2008 To Vallejo shouldn't, so your saying that the "costly" EIR and economic impact reviews should be paid for by the city? Okay, where is the money going to come from to do that? You willing to write a check? Are you suggesting that the city begin to pay for all permits and EIR's from businesses that come to Vallejo as a means to attract them here? Or are you saying that the city should just do away with the permit process? Please explain. Black eye and plain truth, unless you do more than point fingers at other tax payers who have a different view from you, you haven't opened anyones eyes. Please explain how the current agreement that is set to be approved tonight is going to make your life any better? There is nothing in that "risky" agreement that guarentees you that we won't be broke in the next two weeks. It doesn't protect the city from litigation from creditors because it's a "risky" agreement, and it certainly is possible the city will be open to litigation for illegal use of some of the funding it depends on to keep the city operating? The only thing it guarentees is that henke will get exactly what he is after. And you know how much this city likes keeping him happy because he cares about vallejo...gag. So I suggest you all take some time today and read it before you continue your attack against fellow tax payers. If you are all willing to take those risks, close your eyes to yet again another signed contract extenstion that the city can't afford, than be happy because your council members will approve it. But please note this day, and later on, when you all will seem to forget that you sat back and let council sign these agreements, don't cry about the bad decisions and the results, that you agreed to. You can't cry about fiscal mismanagement and agree to the extension of the same. Just isn't logical to me and you haven't opened my eyes to anything other than a further understanding of why this city is stuck on stupid.

black eye   |March.03.2008 When you pay for quality police and fire, thats what you get. PROFESSIONALS. When other cities it's size, with simular crime rates are vary comparable to Vallejo and are making very close to the same wages. They will continue to get raises, along with shift differentials and benifits and will soon pass Vallejo. Then our trained professionals will leave to go to these other departments and Vallejo will become a stepping stone for people to get training, get off probation and leave. I'd like to know if any of you really have a clue to what these fine men and woman do while your asleep in your beds feeling safe. The many hours of training it takes just for them to survive another day fighting a fire or bad guy just for you. It does not sound like any of you would even say thank you if they saved your life or even helped you in a small way. These fine people will continue to give you great service no matter how you knock them down, because their professionals and thats what they do. Lets quit pointing fingers and start fresh, Maybe this is a new beginning to a more prosperous Vallejo, Take a couple of steps backwards and look at the big picture and maybe we'll have a brighter future. Maybe the new city council will be more business and redevelopment friendly and change the way we've been doing business for years. I'd hate to think the crying will just get worse in the future and the finger pointing will continue.

black eye   |March.03.2008 To Vallejo shouldn't suck and plain truth, thanks for opening some eyes..

Silas Barnabe   |March.03.2008 Oh SNAP! Look at the vitriolic meltdown of our safety employees LOL. Some of the statements here are shameless: "You crossed the line printing W2 wages, but why not print Gomes" "we have stifled new revenues from coming here" Yet these contracts that we are supposed to honor give safety employees the first $14,000,000 on-going of any new income. "The infrastructure is so bad here why would any business want to come here" With safety services killing public works and code enforcement budgets isn't that statement laughable. "Our base pay is in line with other well paid cities, the difference is mandatory overtime" This has to be one of the most shocking of all sel centered mia culpa's, mandatory staffing begets manadatory overtime, mandatory overtime cometh from the very contracts you say we should honor. Sorry safety unions but you haven't earned MY trust, and no indian casino, LNG, Walmart, or prison will ever bring in enough revenue to change the fact that we have the highest compensated safety employees and the worst infrastructure, most poorly funded non-profits, most expensive fees and taxes in Solano County.

diemosquito2   |March.02.2008 Ok people, get a grip. This is not about the good people of Vallejo not respecting our good men and women in blue and red. It is about fair wages. I have a friend working for SFFD and I can tell you this person is nowhere near the wages of Vallejo, and is happy when they receive a 1% raise. The Unions here have it sweet and they know it. I have the utmost respect for Police and Fire. The City and the Unions are both culpable in getting us here. I blame both 150%. We'll see what happens. I am not naive enough to think that 'righting' the Police and Fire wages will solve all of Vallejo's problems, but it is a much needed start.

Vallejo Shouldn't Suck   |March.02.2008 Let me get this straight. The City negotiates contracts with the Unions (outside of binding arbitration) which they will not and can not now honor. For years the City of Vallejo has at the very least made it extremely difficult for any corporation or business to come here and frequently just flat says "No" to any company expressing interest in Vallejo. A good example; Oh you want to build a Super Walmart on a lot which not too long ago had a K-Mart, Pic N Save and Hancock Fabrics on it. We'll need you(the greedy capitalist corporation who wish to rule the world)to pay for a economic impact report and and environmental impact report. Give me a break! Cut the red tape and build the store. Let's not forget all that prime waterfront property that has gone undeveloped for a 100 years...well that is if you don't count the open fields, parking lots, junk yards and abandon buildings. I certainly can see why no company would want to do business with a city with mild weather, water access, next to Napa valley, a short trip from San Francisco, on the I80 corridor. AND ALL OF THIS...IS THE FAULT OF POLICE AND FIRE! I don't think so, how about 30yrs of municipal mismanagement and small liberal, we're a retirement community thinking. The sooner we change our anti business mindset and actively and aggressively seek out businesses for Vallejo, the sooner we get out of this mess. Unfortunately in the mean time we'll all have to pay.

Plain Truth   |March.02.2008 There's only one word for the vocal minority who slam the police and fire, call them greedy and uncaring, the ones who tell them to find a job somewhere else, and b**ch about them not living in Vallejo, the word would be: hypocrites. For all the ranting and raving, it has stopped being about the contract and City Hall, and has become attacks on the employees who are only doing their jobs. For those of you who can't see this as anything but an employee problem, if you can't stand these people, don't call them in an emergency.....oh, but you will, and then you're so relieved when they arrive and save your sorry rears, you forget all about the scathing attacks. How absolutely pathetic....how absolutely VIB.

On Fire   |March.02.2008 If there was a chance of the unions coming to the table, tearing up their contracts and negotiating a new one that would enable more fire fighters to become employed, at a salary that the city could afford, then we wouldn't have the problems of closed firestations. Then even the minimum staffing issue would not be a problem. But since you are close to the issue, you know that will never happen. Even with a council that they can "trust" and a negotiator that they "trust" this will never happen. It is an issue that has been out of control for several years and as bad as it seems, it appears that the only way we can get new contracts that will begin to address the problems like overtime and hiring, will be through a judge. The change will have to be a forced one. This is not just the safety employees salaries, but all city employees. The unfunded compensation will come to roost very soon and the city will be looking at bankruptcy again if there is no money to put away for future funding. Yes, we need new revenues. But if the salaries and benefits are out running the revenues, we will continue to have this same problem. Maybe if new contracts can be drawn up, they can look at alternative ways to structure the fire stations. Maybe having shifts that don't require them sleeping at the station, or hiring paramedics that don't need a full fire truck following behind them and sitting idle while the person is being attended to. Maybe going to paramedic trucks that only require two people to go out? Who knows, I'm sure there are ways that this problem can be solved other than blaming the revenues every time the economy goes bad. But again, history has shown that this will only happen if the unions are forced to find a better way that benefits both the citizens and the employees. Just because henke says he has the best way of doing things, doesn't mean it's true. There may be answers within the rank and file. It is all risky but we continue to go down this failed path. So this is why it's important to restructure now. The band-aid approach doesn't address the long term solution so that we don't have to continually have this same problem come up and no real solutions are found.

Mathew O.   |March.02.2008 What a joke. No wonder there is such a long waiting list of applicants to be a fireman in Vallejo. It's a windfall for those few who get to play the game. Let's face it, the politicians get elected through the public support of union firefighters and police. Do you really expect the results of contract negotiations with our elected officials to result in anything less than a big payday for the unions? Whatever happended to having a public oversite committee to serve as a safeguard against entering into these sorts of agreements? We need to set wages to better reflect the cost of working and living in Vallejo, not the entire bay area.

Jon G.   |March.02.2008 After looking at the various pay scales for Vallejo employees the firefighter base rate of 97k seems to fall in line with the Vallejo standard of paying its employees very well. However massive overtime hours are being put in by FD personnel, most of it being mandatory. No where is the amount of hours worked listed. I agree that any abuse should be swiftly dealt with, however I don't think it's fair to provide half the picture. These are not yearly salaries handed out in a lump sum. Some of the FD personnel have had to put in an extra 60+ 24 hour shifts last year, many of those days were back to back. Which in turn leads to OT as mandated by state and federal law. Most fire depts work 9 or 10 shifts per month which = 120/year + the 60 extra some have worked = 180 full 24 hour days and nights, that = 6 full months at work. How much the the OT is actually from abuse? The city concedes that it is cheaper to just pay the OT vs. hiring to fill vacant slots. I say nix the abuse/abusers and quit complaining about the rest as they are working the over times the city requires. Although I don't work for the city of Vallejo but I have spent the last 8 years working on its local ambulance. This makes it easier for me to see it from both sides. This is where the minimum staffing levels come into play. Currently the city has 8 stations covering its various communities. If this staffing is cut only the public is to suffer. Who loses the peace of mind the folks out on Mare Island; North Vallejo, South Vallejo, the east or west? Hidden Brooke need not worry since they never got their station. I have lived in Vallejo since '88 and currently own a home and raise 3 kids here. I speak experience when it comes to suffering on a delayed response. In '99 as a new EMT my mother and main provider for my family suffered a major heart attack in front of me. I initiated cpr an called 911, nearly 10 minutes passed before any assistance arrived. The engine in my district was already on scene of another medical call. 10 min alone performing cpr was a nightmare in more ways than one. I lost my mom that day. I know I tried everything I could but the question remains what if? What if electrical defibrillation were performed during the first crucial minutes...What if...? This delay happened on a "fully staffed" day. Lets imagine that the future is upon us and the rolling station closures are implemented and you need help and your in the position I was in. But now your backup station is the one that is closed. 10 minutes of cpr put me into a state of exhaustion I had never felt before. I am the big picture of minimum staffing. It's there to protect anyone in this city. In my case I still had to wait, but 10 is better than 12 or 15 minutes. I know the OT creates large pay checks but how many people are spared the agony I went through. I know that my mother probably would not have survived even if her heart attack would have happened in the ER itself but I would have been spared the many sleepless nights of trying to answer the "what if?". I know my response is long but I hope it serves its purpose of trying to make everyone aware of the big picture and the implications of some of these cost cutting measures.

questionlady   |March.02.2008 anonymous and black eye: get a clue: the people here are much too intelligent and involved than to go after your red herrings. Stop wasting our time. By the way, did you know that the 2% raise (the 8% sacrifice) that fire and police are giving up are only in place until the end of the FISCAL year, yes, this june, kiddies...so July1, they are back at unconscionable levels...and ...no, there is no 'hammer' ensuring that they don't rev up the overtime to make up the payments on the yachts...Vicki, you looked awesome holding up that sign... I dare say you have made a name for yourself...I think we should be thinking about who to endorse in the recall election...

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.02.2008 We need to place the blame on the union reps and the puppets they've bank rolled for YEARS in our city government(council, mayor, etc.)The cops and fire fighters are understaffed for a reason, so they can work more overtime. I've seen people post here "how would you feel if your house was on fire......". Yes, we need police and fire. That's without question. But, WHY DO THEY MAKE MORE THAN OTHER CITIES? Why did the past councils approve of these horrible contract negotiations? Those are the people that need to be accountable for our cities situation. Don't go after the pigeon stoops(fire fighters cops), go after the head(s) of the beast! It's like the little guy on the corner selling crack. Get the guy(s) bringing that sh-t into our country! But they won't get that "guy" because that "guy" is kicking back money to the snakes in our government so he can continue to slither by. The snakes in our case are the Police/Fire union reps, who put all those on our city council in place except for 2(guess who? ) 5 council members in the snakes pocket, and 2 who are not. Don't expect anything from this council, cuz we ain't gettin jack from them! All they care about is their own selfish little agendas. Just callin it like I see it

On Fire   |March.02.2008 John I got it.

On Fire   |March.02.2008 While some here chose to divert the attention away from the real issues by calling names and picking people you want to blame, my question is: How many of you have taken the time to read the agreement your tax dollars will be paying for? So do you think the agreement will be the answer to all of your problems? Can someone tell us what the city will get in return for all of the concessions we are giving up? Does this agreement truely guarantee the city's solvency through July 2008? What happens if more employees outside of the police and fire retire or quit and are paid out their leave, further draining the general fund? What will the general fund balance be then and how soon will the city be unsolvent and unable to pay it's bills? Do you have enough faith that your representatives of choice will do the right thing for you? There are choices to make: you can continue to sit in front of the computer trying to find new names to call your fellow tax payers or not paying attention and continue to be lemmings and blindly be led off the cliff. Or you can make an informed decision and ask questions as there are so many holes in the band-aid budget agreement that you could drive a firetruck through it. And after reading it if you still feel this is the best deal the people who will be making decisions for you can come up with, then you can stop worrying and we will see you at the bankruptcy filing.

John C.   |March.02.2008 Uh-oh. I didn't mean to sound obtuse. But thanks for replying, On Fire & Wicked. I was hoping a quasi-Socratic method might bring some previously undisclosed facts to light to substantiate the previous commenter...

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 At the risk of repeating myself - according to California Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility the crisis Vallejo is now facing is lurking for all levels of government. The CTFR has said that public employee wages and benefits are outstripping the cities, counties, states and federal government to pay. Hello! And yes I have read the OC Register and I think it validates my point quite nicely because it also talks about several California counties that are close to experiencing the same situation we find ourselves in. The state of Calfornia isn't far behind and the federal government with its millions of employees and rising deficit is rapidly following in our footsteps. Its taxpayer money that funds all forms of government people. You can't have it both ways. If your part of a public employees bargaining group -even if your salary is within the real of public opinion's approval - your benefits packages (health, retirement, etc.) are lucrative, costly and unsustainable.

On Fire   |March.02.2008 This tactic was tried before and to those who want to bring in federal employees salaries (Gomes) into the dialog are only trying to distract people from the real issue that is being addressed. There is however, a real tie in to what our employees make as compared to teachers here in Vallejo. If you have a problem with what federal emploeyes make, than take that to your Congress person and State Legislators. This is the same thing they tried to do on the T-H blog, divert you away from the real issues. You will note that no one has asked about what the mayor's salary is or his ties to a certain developer here in Vallejo. Or Wilson's income from the contracts his firm has obtained from the city. This is apples and potatoes and so let's stick to the facts that affect the tax dollars here in Vallejo.

Wicked   |March.02.2008 Anonymous, people can disagree with your opinion. Nobody here has been rude or intolerant of you. Now if you want to read rude and intolerant, read the TH blogs. While I don't find Stephanie Gomes the "second coming", I do appreciate the time she volunteers to various organizations. I also applaud her courage to speak up for what she believes in, even if it means facing the jeers and boo's from the audience.

John C.   |March.02.2008 By the way, here's a link to the OC Register editorial. Thanks Rdp. http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-unions-board-1990888-county-police

John C.   |March.02.2008 How is a Federal employee's income related to a Municiple budget crisis? How is Vallejo's current fiscal mess related to the Federal governments deficit?

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 I bring their pay and retirement up because it is part of the problem. In case you haven't noticed the federal government is trillion of dollars in debt and rapidly increasing the amount daily. You can't have it both ways. It needs to be fixed across the board and to quote Ms. Gomes take the "burden off the taxpayers". Its also nice to know that intolerance is alive and well on this blog! I guess its only available to those who think Gomes is the Second Coming!

RdP   |March.02.2008 The future is now, my friend. Take a look at that Orange County Register editorial of today. Now why on earth would you bring up a federal employees salary and a VPD retiree's salary? He retired years ago and she doesn't even work for the City of Vallejo. I suspect you have no actual substance to contribute and you're grasping at straws. Give us all a break and return to the Times Herald blogs.

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 A stretch to say Gomes's wages aren't relevant to what's happening in Vallejo! I believe the watchdog group California Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility has said the wages of all public employees have gotten out of control. That's cities, counties, states and the federal government. Last time I checked my taxes paid for all four of these types of government employees, so it it very much relevant. How about Gomes and Pearsall put there money where their mouth is and give back some of my hard earned taxpayers dollars. Its not just Vallejo thats going to be facing this problem in the future!

Black eye   |March.02.2008 Hey Carol, Can I have your full name and what you make and do for a living.

Black eye   |March.02.2008 To On Fire, I guess a smoke shop on every corner is just what we need, because this is just what kind of businesses we are bringing in to lead us into the future and compete with other cities. There is no reason that Vallejo shouldn't be the gem of solano county with its waterways and wide deversity. There is nothing wrong with an Indian bingo casino or a prison. This would give revenue and jobs to this city. I don't blame citizens for concerns and safety issues while bringing in any business, but lets look at the big picture, we can't keep making excuses for chasing everyone away, because we end up with just what we have"nothing" but a growing deficit. Lets bring in businesses that benifit everyone, not just a few select people. Mare Island closed down 16 years ago, you think we could have done something since then.

Marc Garman--The Editinator   |March.02.2008 THE EMPLOYEE WAGE REPORT FOR THE CITY OF VALLEJO WE HAVE POSTED WAS OBTAINED BY A STANDARD PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST. IT WAS SUPPLIED TO US IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA LAW. IT WAS SUPPLIED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO. CITY ATTORNEY SOLEY ADVISED THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE THAT THEY WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. THIS DOCUMENT IS PUBLIC RECORD. IT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH STRICTLY PROPER AND LEGAL MEANS. IT IS NOT A CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT.

Outsider_Looking_In   |March.02.2008 While not a Vallejo resident, I am a local government renak-and-file employee. I have many friends in V-town and I am worried for them. The longtime greed and shady political dealing by Vallejo's safety unions, particulary the firefighter's union, is givin all public employees a permanent black eye. Every time I see or hear Kurt Henke's name, I am reminded of that character on tv's "Southpark". Mr. Hankie, who is a piece of talking human excrement.

Judy Irvin   |March.02.2008 Let's compare Federal and City salaries... As a licensed architect with a Masters Degree from the University of California at Berkeley, I made about $65,000 the year I retired from the National Park Service as a senior project manager. In addition, I meet the special Federal requirements as an historical architect. One of the City staff to the Vallejo Architectural Heritage and Landmarks Commission makes over $100,000 and does not meet the State requirements so there are lots of problems with the accuracy of the staff reports. We are not getting the professional expertise we are paying for.

Silas Barnabe   |March.02.2008 Hey Anon you can request Gomes W2 information from the Feds per the Freedom of Information Act just like is being done here. But htat might give insight to who is behind the whackjob fringe posts on the Times Herald blogs and now here.

LWong   |March.02.2008 The salary list is disturbing to read when you realize that the highest paid teacher at Hogan High would rank 460th in salary if they were a city employee! Sadly, the list of compensation simply de-motivates the very hard-working and dedicated employees that find themselves so far down on this list. People receiving these massive compensations, I have to ask have they no shame to be taking this money from a city on the brink of bankruptcy? This list tells me there there is too much thinking if "I". The thought process is "I" deserve this and a I'll take as much buyout compensation and overtime pay as "I" can get because "I" deserve it. If anyone from the City or Union is listening out there, this mindset has to change. This is 2008. Let's completely restructure our compensation like a start-up company. Yes, base salaries and overtime completely restructured (reduced) with the primary incentive based upon the financial performance of the city. If we can reduce costs together and work efficiently, there is a significant comensation opportunity. What a great way to get everybody thinking about what they can do for the City instead of how much they can take away. Yes, I'm sure there would be fall-out, but more employees who are motivated to see the city prosper and fewer people who are looking to punch the clock and grab as much compensation as they can would not be such a bad thing.

Sharpie   |March.02.2008 Anonymous, Man what a complete stretch you've made. Totally baseless comparisons that have nothing to do with the situation. But if you want to do it I say that would be fine. How about posting the profits of Mr. Bartee off his downtown property sales, how about posting the 2nd incomes of all the fireman and policeman who own 2nd homes in Vallejo and rent them out. Can you afford to own a 2nd home, I sure can't. How about posting the costs and values of the homes purchased in Piedmont, Napa, and Lafayette that our firemen and policemen have purchased in addition to their rental homes. The Feds have historically received far lower than their private industry counterparts and it's a subject with congress each and every year that has not been addressed. The federal union is pretty powerless and the packages they offer are far far less than ANY city in California. I repeat far far less than ANY city in California.

carol   |March.02.2008 unfortunatley our public safety leaders/hereos in Vallejo need to be reminded of their "Oath of integrity...to uphold the community...bluh bluh." Perhaps, during their next chili cookoff, our heros can donate their profits to Vallejo.

L.Hill   |March.02.2008 In response to Anonymous- this is a local city issue, not a federal issue. When a group wants to ask Sacramento to post all salaries, then so be it. But all council members have their salaries listed like all other city service memebers. No issue in my book.

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 When this site prints Ms. Gomes W-2 info from her federal government job for the last two years, then it might be considered fair and unbiased. When it prints the amount of the COLAS Ms. Gomes may have received simply because she lives in California and that has been bargained/contracted by the federal employee bargaining/union group that represents her, then it might be considered fair and unbiased. When it prints Ms. Gomes entire federal goverment employee benefit package cost including retirement, health insurance, etc. then it might be considered fair and unbiased. After all Ms. Gomes is a federal public employee reaping the same unsustainable salaries and benefits as those she so openly criticizes and disdains. The same could be said of Mr. Pearsall. According to info on this website, this budget crisis has been going on for at least 15 years. Was not Mr. Pearsall and active employee of the City of Vallejo for a good portion of those years? I do not remember him turning down any of the raises, etc. that he received during that time. What was his "buy out" from the City upon his retirement? His current retirement benefits are still part of the cost of our budget woes. When this website prints the actual yearly cost of his retirement benefits, then it might be considered fair and unbiased. So, you can believe all you want that this website is giving you fair and unbiased information, but I would have to strongly disagree, since the above information is not listed right next to the wages and benefit costs of the greedy employees that have caused all of our City's financial problems. I would also like to ask one more thing - Can Ms. Gomes and Mr. Pearsall truly be part of the solution if they really are part of the problem?

Citizen   |March.02.2008 I have attempted to read and absorb/understand the

Citizen   |March.02.2008 I have attempted to read and absorb/understand the

L. Hill   |March.02.2008 Regarding the salaries of employees: I must say the person who heads up Code enforement deserves every dime they gets plus more. I would love to see that department get more $$(more people) to be able to really go after the people in this town, especially absentee or local landlords, that are not keeping up their property (business or residential). Really, the department could be self sustaining. Thanks to the person (you know who you are) in charge of code enforcement for doing the best job possible with the little resources you have today. We appreciate everything you do for the city. To the City- Please no cuts to Code Enforcement ......we need to add to the department. Concerned about the neighborhoods.

On Fire   |March.02.2008 Anon, it's easy to say the people who are having a dialog on this site are "hateful" and "bitter", if you are simply complaining. What is your answer to the city's financial crisis? What do you think the city should be doing and why? The intent is to bring people together to share ideas, and yes complain. but go the next step and add your thoughts on solutions.

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.02.2008 Check out JD Millers opinion letter in the sunday Times Herald. Been a while since i've seen some sense like that in the paper. REMEMBER, WE'RE THE EMPLOYERS HERE!

On Fire   |March.02.2008 Anon, after living in this city for over twenty years and watching as the unions play their games and the council who allows it, have earned the right to be somewhat bitter. The blogs are opinions and never claimed to be anything else. Please share with the readers what you have read that your saying is misinformation, and tell us what is the source of which you have obtained the "truth".

Silas Barnabe   |March.02.2008 Posting W2 wages seems to bring out the nut jobs, I hope for everyone's sake they aren't sworn public servants.

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 This sites contributors are the kind of people who believe if you don't agree with me - you are evil and wrong! If you don't think like me - you are evil and wrong! The people on this site truly believe in their cause not unlike your extremist Muslims who want Sharia law to be the only law worldwide. Keep it up folks and we all will be bowing to Mecca before long. This site also has as much misinformation as any other news website and you are at best naive if this site doesn't have a agenda and political site, etc. So peace out all of you! Spread some love and not the bitterness and hate.

Paul Norberg   |March.02.2008 It seems we have to go to other newspapers to get any intelligent discussion of Vallejo's problems. Check out the Orange County Register editorial - they clearly understand the issues: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-unions-board-1990888-county-police

On Fire   |March.02.2008 So true LOL. This city has pimped off the misery of north and south vallejo reidents in order to continue the flow of redevelopment money that has done essentially nothing to "redevelope" those areas. They (City) throws out some bones every now and again, in their attempt to keep the residents happy, but it amounts to nothing to bring more businesses there, make people want to move into those neighborhoods, or make the lives better for the residents. It has been a farce for too many years and goes beyond contempt for the residents that live in those areas. Now they want to take half a million dollars out of north Vallejo to help pay for police salaries and will give nothing back in return. The crime rate has not decreased, the blight continues, no new businesses have ventured to those areas with the exception of more alcohol. This city needs to move beyond this "redevelopment" mentality.

MAD IN N. VALLEJO   |March.02.2008 Thank God for this web site. I wasn't so sure that anyone gave a damn about their city. After reading On Fires statements about the funds for North Vallejo I AM ****ED. I bought my home here in North Vallejo 8 years ago like many other people. The price was right. I saw my block go from a majority of renters to a majority of home owners. People taking pride in there property, because they own it. I have nothing against renters. Hell, I used to be one. But I feel like NONE of the property owners who rent out their facilities care much about their properties. This goes for homes, business, whatever. It seems like it's acceptable to put nothing into your property because hey, it doesn't matter. It's Vallejo. Who cares? I think that's why we have no business here. Drive down Sonoma, Broadway, etc. It is run down. This city is here to bleed money from the people, and that money they receive from us is spent somewhere else. I'm sure I'm saying things people already know. Another thing I don't understand is why did Wilson, Hannigan, and Osby get elected? If most people know about these police and fire unions and saw that Wilson and Hannigan were bank rolled by them, why did the people vote for them? Did they vote for Bush too? And if Cloutier was the one really vocalizing the issue about the unions, why didn't he win? That's why I thought no one gave a damn about their city, this country etc. I'm glad to see people do, or at least on this web site. I know I'm saying a lot but I've been reading the posts here for months and seeing about MY(tax payer!) portion of $500,000 not coming to my area inspired me to write. This whole country wants a change. WE HAVE TO HAVE A CHANGE HERE IN VALLEJO. People in countys with money like Marin don't have Wal-Mart, oil refinerys, etc. So why would we want them here? To me Trader Joe's is a store with HEALTHY ORGANIC FOOD at a FOOD 4 LESS price! Those who shop at TJ's know this. We need stores like that here. Not a 2 story Super Wal-Mart that sells cheap crap that's a few molecules away from being plastic. And people wonder why "impovershed" areas are obese. Because crap is cheap, but also makes you fat(no nutritional value). And if that's all you can afford, then you're screwed. What would YOU rather have, healthy for cheap or crap for cheap? I've covered a lot here. Bottom line here is that our city is getting screwed every imaginable angle possible. Let's expose ALL OF IT to the public. and kudos to the guy holding the re-call sign at the Mayor Henke press conference

On Fire   |March.02.2008 Anon, I think you have your sites mixed up. There has been nothing posted on this site in comparison to what your local paper has everyday. So much so that they have to take it down. Their blogs are filled with hateful diatribe aimed at the citizens of Vallejo and have turned everyone off. There is nothing useful in the T-H blog or the paper for that matter. We read more in other papers around the Bay area that have more useful information. I haven't read a thing on this site that was sexist or racist. But on the other hand, the T-H blogs makes this city look like we are a city filled with bigots and hate mongers.

Anonymous   |March.02.2008 What a mean, nasty, hateful site under the guise of intelligent discourse! If this is intelligent discourse I much rather converse with my dog. The hate and bitterness expressed here is toxic and reminds me why we are still fighting the battles of racism, sexism, etc.

Little Old Lady   |March.02.2008 It is so sad. The economic development department's delusionary Redevelopment Programs... downtown (late 1960's), Marine World, Glen Cove, etc....have not delivered on their promises of prosperity in over 40 years. All we got was debt, parking lots and huge subsidized housing projects. So here we are trusting the same old, failed programs and backward hacks to deliver some nebulous, prosperous future to pay for the bloated salaries that were based on a false promise of things to come. Forget LNG. Whatever you thought it would do for Vallejo economically, the powers that be would never let those floating bombs under the Golden Gate Bridge. But the imperial powers do have a role for Vallejo...the regional dumping ground of society's refuse. We can all see the tension between people who chose to live in Vallejo because they love it and people who have no other choice because cities like Walnut Creek frown on such activities as Meth manufacturing and pit bull breeding in their neighborhoods. Remember "Blight=Redevelopment" and the real money in Redevelopment is to the consultants, providers of subsidized housing and infrastructure contractors, not the community. So don't delude yourselves that prosperity is just on the horizon when the Waterfront or Downtown Plan are implemented. Because people who have the means to chose won't chose Vallejo as it spirals into chaos and pay ever increasing costs for a lower and lower quality of life.

Al J. Love   |March.02.2008 To Mr or Ms The Big Black Eye: avoid punching yourself in your own eye. When Walmart sets its sites on your town and citizens allow it to come in you can be assured that whatever tax revenue it provides will be nullified by all the other businesses that are gradually put out of business due to the presence of Walmart. North Vallejo Raley's immediately saw a downturn in business due to the opening of the American Canyon Walmart. As On Fire stated, Nugget declined to locate here because of the threat of Walmart locating here. Get the picture? How's your depth of field? Also, as On Fire explained don't you care enough about your town(if you indeed live here)and your own health to be a little discerning about what businesses you allow to locate here? Or would you accept anything? Do you think toxic sludge is good for you? Development companies are usually much more interested in making a profit for themselves by building the cheapest, architecturally nondescript buildings they are allowed to get away with. If you're really upset (suddenly)about that small group of people who have been running your town(if this is your town)for quite awhile then inform yourself about binding arbitration, union contracts, union business leave abuses (for example, if you are a Vallejo taxpayer you paid yesterday for Henke's and Riley's appearances at the press conference and the time they spent getting interviewed by the press, I don't exactly call that putting their lives on the line). They, and the people they put on the city council, and the population who doesn't do its homework and actually votes for these stooges, are the ones who are giving this town a big black eye. The rest of us are doing our jobs by pointing fingers and trying to inform the public and solve the problems in order to rejuvenate this city. Come on! Let's go! To Vallejo Resident: California Supreme Court last year made a ruling allowing all public employee salaries to be made public so that we can know a little bit about where our tax money is going. Would you like to know what your tax dollars pay for? It's interesting that even though you thought it was "crossing the line" to post the salaries you spent a lot of time looking through them to the point that you calculated how many employees make over $100,000. Forbidden fruit is delicious isn't it? We love you and wish you success as you undertake the investigation of why so many employees make over $100,000.

On Fire   |March.02.2008 Vljo Res. if you will recall, the Vacaville Reported does a report every year that reports the highest paid official for Solano County. Do you think they obtained it through some illegal means? Your statement implies that the information was obtained through some illegal act, which is not true. The information request is done through the City Clerk's office under the Freedom of Information law. The easiest way to check is call tomorrow morning and ask the question. Easy to check on with a phone call.

Vallejo resident   |March.02.2008 "Marc Garman--The Editinator March.01.2008 Vallejo Resident, W-2 earnings for city employees are no longer confidential. The law has changed. Thanks for the correction..."earnings" is the correct term, not "salary"...so I have corrected that." So--Are you saying that this document was provided as a result of a request through normal channels, or not? Was this generated as a result of a proper request? Can we get the name of the City Official that provided it? I suspect not. Also, among those top 100, how many are not "rank and file" safety officers? How many are police/fire management? What about the Finance Dept, community support, Public works, etc --- Why no focus on those?

Katy Miessner   |March.02.2008 VISION 2008, A FOUNDATION FOR EFFECTIVE CULTURAL PLANNING (For a more positive discussion about our town!!!) Tuesday March 4, 2008 90am until 40pm Joseph Room JFK Library Vallejo, Calif. The Vallejo Artists Guild will be hosting a day long Vision conference. The purpose of the conference is to bring together people who can participate in creating some positive solutions for our city. Councilwoman Schivley will be our keynote speaker. Other city official will offer presentations on issues and opportunities for creative growth in Vallejo. The afternoon sessions will focus on round table development of ideas that can bring creative solutions to some of the issues we all face in Vallejo. For more information contact Harold Beaulieu at (707)647-3022 Thanks!

Denise Martin   |March.02.2008 For FY 07-08, the current contract required an adjustment during the FY for a salary increase from 8.5% to a 10%. My understanding of this bandaid "deal" is that the fire and police unions have agreed to first abandon 1.5% salary increase so standing alone, the contract requires an increase of 8.5% to all salaries per the formulas in the contract. The second part of this bandaid deal is that the safey unions agree to a reduction of the 8.5% salary increase by 6.5%, leaving a salary increase of 2% for FY 07-08? This is a deal? Temporary or not - the City is running out of money, City positions are being cut, the citizens of Vallejo will face a decrease in all services and many community organizations closing their doors because of lack of funding, but the safey unions still get a 2% salary increase? Outrageous.

Katy Miessner   |March.02.2008 Classic quotes of the day: "That wasn't much of a giveaway, admitted Kurt Henke" "The mayor admitted the proposed agreement is little more than a cobbled-together effort to avoid immediate bankruptcy. Even with the proposed pay cuts and other budget trims, Vallejo expects the city's general fund balance to be zero at the end of the fiscal year." http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/02/BADOVCB8H.DTL

Carol--not a sheep   |March.02.2008 No they did not cross the line by giving out salaries. It's the citizens right to know!! The problem with Vallejo is that they are kept in the dark. In the County I work for, my salary is also given out to the public. Legally, VIB did nothing wrong..It is the citizens right to know. When I moved back to Vallejo, I was in shock that so much important information was kept from citizen--stuff that they are legally entitled to know. Our leaders took advantage of the fact that a lot of people in Vallejo are working class, and perhaps not college educated. So Sad... I think VFD cross the line when they broke their commitment to the children of Vallejo at Christmas time.

Silas Barnabe   |March.02.2008 What people like big black eye fail to see is that we need $14,000,000 of ongoing revenue just have things the way the are at this instant. Little to knoe funding for non-profits, costly tranportation for low income vallejoans, and the worst roads in Solano County, and a city so poorly staffed with non-safety personnel that couldn't perform day to day business. We can invite in all of the above and maybe get to the $14,000,000 which would certainly maintain the status quo but do little for non-public safety city staff, non-profits, or our infrastructure. Davis has made it clear he wants to tax vallejoans even more than they are now to help fix this mess. The city has been beat to the punch by other agencies like the school district that taxes all of us for Measure A, and in some areas taxpayers are paying for lighting, landscaping districts, as well as two Mello-Roos districts for Jesse Bethel High School and Wardlaw Elementary. We all remember the outcome of our tax $$ spent by that group of incompetent leaders some of which are still leading that school district today. Now Mr. Davis with a not so great financial track record to date wants to charge utility sur taxes to every phone in vallejo. Thanks to the stellar efforts of VIB and the visceral cries of protest from safety union proponents, the publishing of W2 earnings will not like garner the 2/3 super majority needed to get that tax. Staff is also forgetting that our State leaders will likely have taxes on next Jume or Novembers Ballots. I feel the deal behind this deal is to provide such poor services to valleojans that in a few months we would let any business that most other cities would not allow open shop here, pass any tax to just to get better services, but remember we have to exceed the $14,000,000 to get back good roads and properly operating infrastructure, funded nonprofits and transportation for low income vallejoans. We are being asked to let public safety have the first $14,000,000 and anyother revenue above that we we get and I think we are all living that false promise from past deals right now.

On Fire   |March.01.2008 Black eye, yes it is a shame that s samll goup of people make the decisions for the city. That group is IAFF and VPOA. They were fully aware of the city's financial status. Just today henke states that they care about this city just as much as any one else. Really? Is this why he abused over $300,000 of pbulic funds to go diving and frolicking all over the State, partying and sleeping off benders? Who else has that kind of expense account? As for chasing away business, why is it that we should accept businesses that most cities don't even want? If LNG is such a good deal,why are they having so much trouble getting a location to build their plant on? When has LNG ever hit the list of the most desirable city's to live in? The same goes for walmart. Why are they meeting so much opposition all over the country? By the way, it was the possibility of the super walmart coming to town that chased the Nugget store out of Vallejo, not council. I just wonder why some in this city are so willing to accept businesses that nobody else would consider having in their town? LNG, dredge ponds, casinos, and prisons! Why are we so eager to do "desparation shopping?" Can we ever move past 99 cent stores and liquor outlets to quality stores and businesses that wouldn't kill or pollute our city?

The big black eye   |March.01.2008 It is so sad the position this city is in, It's not just from the present city council members but a history of bad decision making. Vallejo has a history of chasing big business away that goes way back. The sad thing is, it's usually a small group of people making the decisions for the majority. I hear that the Police and Fire take up 80% percent of the general fund, If this city would have brought in LNG, Walmart, Nugget Market,etc or chased away development companies that wanted to make this a more prosperous, that 80% percent might be 30% percent since we would have more tax base. When is the last time you heard a city council member take responsibility for any of this. It's amazing how Police and Fire have become the scape goats for the city. Most people say they wouldn't do their jobs for a million dollars, well believe me they do it for a lot less and it's extremely dangerous. Put your life on the line for a complete stranger sometime. Quit pointing fingers and do your jobs. It's sad when the corpyard can't get credit for parts, because creditors are afraid they won't get their money because of pending bankruptcy. I hope your all proud of the Big Black eye you gave this city.

Marc Garman--The Editinator   |March.01.2008 Vallejo Resident, W-2 earnings for city employees are no longer confidential. The law has changed. Thanks for the correction..."earnings" is the correct term, not "salary"...so I have corrected that.

Vallejo Resident   |March.01.2008 You guys have crossed the line. Posting "salaries" (w2 information) is CONFIDENTIAL. is it really necessary to publish what 638 City employees made last year? And, you should clarify -- Those are 2007 EARNINGS not salaries. We sure do have a lot of City employees making in excess of 100,000 -- Way too many. Roughly HALF. 292 people were paid more than 100,000 last year by Vallejo -- How about we investigate THAT?!?

PrD   |March.01.2008 "I hear that the press conference at City Hall this afternoon turned into a protest rally. Did any of you attend?" As far as protests go ..... pathetic! To get to the root of the protest, it appeared that the "rub" was total salaries. If someone gets $200,000 annually and the protestors want that reduced to $50,000, then that means the protestors want some of the employees to perform public safety work for $10 per hr. Pretty generous of those folks .... $2 above minimum wage. Of course the Executive Secretarys will still start at $26 per hour and they'll be safe at that level until they begin to work 4000+ hours annually and drive their salaries above 100k+. Then the target will move to them. If we only were like France with a 30 hour work week.

Works with Cops   |March.01.2008 Yes, all those threats of 'you think it's bad now' all us cops will leave, and stop coming to calls and things will be worse...I have a hint for you: that doesn't make you look like the good guys: that's extortion. You DO have control and COULD have assigned people to do the downtown, but CHOSE NOT TO. To you it's a political move. to us who live here it's our livelihood. Same with the Crest. There are sides here, and it hurts me to think that I'm not on the side that I thought I would be on...But I can tell a con when I see one, and it's worse when it's people you care about who are working the con.

Alun Whittaker   |March.01.2008 Yes, yes, yes! It was a festival of lights! Davis and Henke mumbled and ran. The press hung around and interviewed everyone in sight. They just kept coming, from San Francisco and Sacramento, TV and Radio. And what did they all want to know: What's the deal about abalone?.. What's UBL?.. Whad'ya mean Vallejo's a great place to live.. and Why is there no one here who supports the Mayor? Other than that it was a ho-hum day at City Hall today.

On Fire   |March.01.2008 Mr. Franks, I am well acquainted with the neighborhoods you listed. As a mstter of fact I've walked those streets and worked with the neighbors to try to improve the streets. There is a reason that those neighborhoods constantly have the problems that they do and it has nothing to do with police response. The city has used those neighborhoods to collect redeelopment funds and have consistantly used those funds to pay for things other than what it was intended for. As a mater of fact, if you look at the proposal the city ha publicized, they are planning to take $500,000 our of the North Vallejo Redevelopement fund to put into the general fund to pay for the salaries of the police department. The people in those neighborhoods should be demanding a detailed explaination of what exactly they are going to get after the drain the money out of that fund. Will you get more patrols? Will the reopen the substation? Will that amount of money make more people want to move into those neighborhoods or more businesses relocate there? Because if the answer is no, then you should be mad. Because your council majority will take that money and never replace it. They will not demand that the money be used for any extra police service in those neighborhoods. That inclused the mayor. It's not about the salaries, but how equally each neighborhood is treated and the level of services you receive. Don't let the side distractions cloud the issues.

RdP   |March.01.2008 I hear that the press conference at City Hall this afternoon turned into a protest rally. Did any of you attend?

({}) One who Nose   |March.01.2008 Occurred to me, I don;t know PAOLI, but I would guess he also retired, thus his salary includes buy ot. This would make who #1 in Vallejo - well, I'll be - Joe Tanner himself - by $70,000 over the next guy who worked a helluvalot of OT to get there.

({}) One who Nose   |March.01.2008 Becker (Police Department) also retired same day West did, so his buyout is included. I don't think you all realize all these top PD employees' salaries reflect an insane amount of overtime(Lord knows I did my share of 18+ hour days). Hire more cops to reduce the overtime! Oh wait, we're going to lay more off instead...

Numbers   |March.01.2008 RdP, the schedule reflects annual salary that included bloated overtime. When a single individual works the hours of one and a half or two people, the salary has a tendency to rise. The City never had a problem with this structure because they only had to pay overtime and not the benefits attached to the "ghost" worker. Firefighters are normally scheduled to work approx 2928 hours a year (~122 shifts x 24 hours), many of these fire personnel worked 180 shifts or more.

John Franks   |March.01.2008 Hey there, why don't you folks go walk into the Country Club Crest, Millerville, or South Vallejo and spend the day there....If you are still able to possess a cellular phone or have any identification, money, or clothes.....you should chalk it up as a good day. If you go into these areas and your "Pulse" is threatened....don't dial 911 because the cops are overpaid as you say and are probably eating at a doughnut shop. Hey, lets just hire security guards like we did last year downtown....that was successful wasn't it.....Ask all those that attempted to put up their booths during the "Wednesday Night Celebration". Lets face the facts here folks....the people running the City have failed us.....It's not the cops and firemen that respond to all of our 911 calls..

Anonymous   |March.01.2008 San Francisco Examiner also covers the Vallejo bankruptcy story. Please leave your comments on their website as well, so EVERYBOBY in San Francsico metro area knows what's going on in Vallejo. Vallejo releases details of plan to avoid bankruptcy http://www.examiner.com/a-1252419~Vallejo_releases_details_of_plan_to_avoid_bankruptcy

RdP   |March.01.2008 Just re-read the whole tamale & it's annual salary only...WAAAAHHHHH!

RdP   |March.01.2008 I'm a 19 yr state investigator and my annual salary shows up on page 14!!! Clericals are making more than I am. The pay looks like private sector not public. Do those totals include the cost of their benefits or is that straight annual salary? Good grief!

AlunHW   |March.01.2008 Oh gee, so JoAnn West's nearly half a million dollars included a year's salary plus a retirement payout (but didn't include the lifetime of free health care.) Looking at it that way, we can see its as a perfectly fair reward for her years of services writing press releases, and organizing dog trials. People, can we please get our heads straight on this. We're talking about people doing ordinary jobs in a middle class town that doesn't have a mile of street anywhere without a pot hole, or a wire-stripped street light. Yet we talk about salary and benefit packages running into hundreds of thousands and close to millions of dollars with a "seems only fair" shrug. Just exactly which fairy godmother are you expecting to step in and pay our tab! There's just so long that these three month band-aid solutions can go on, and we're fast running through the supply of city managers willing to take on this mess!

On fire   |March.01.2008 :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: The Mayor has called a press conference with police and fire scheduled to be there. Apparently the mayor didn't think his council members needed to know and arranged this in secret. People need to be in attendance that want to have something to say about this band-aid offering which cuts city services and clears henke of any wrong doing including embezzelment of public funds through abuse of UBL. Remeber this ran in excess of $300,000 in only one year. It eliminated any checks and balance for union business leave and henke can use it without any restraints. The press conference starts at 3PM on the City Hall steps this afternoon. If you want to tell the media how you feel about this band-aid the council will be voting on, be there. Spread the word.

anon   |March.01.2008 West retired last year and the spike was a result of her payout..Why not print Pearsall's payout also, they retired at the same rank.

Alun Whittaker   |March.01.2008 Wow! JoAnn West, the Police Department's public relations officer made $435,538! That's more that Kurt Henke and John Riley combined! The more we learn, the more insane this situation becomes! Can we petition the state to appoint a legal guardian until the entire city returns to it's senses?

Silas Barnabe   |March.01.2008 Excellent list VIB with so many safety employees bringin in over $150,000 last yeat I wonder how they will make ends meet with a 6.5 percent wage cut when the average household income in $50,000.

question lady   |March.01.2008 How do we know that the fire/police pay rate pay cuts will resolve in savings? wont they just work overtime to get what they need? Under the plan, they give up their pay increase forever? or until when? Is this plan tied to the minimum staffing grievance resolution that is also on the council's agenda?

REMINDER GUY   |March.01.2008 JUST A REMINDER: LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THESE PEOPLE ENDORSED OSBY DAVIS. HENSE, HELPING TO MAKE VALLEJO THE NEW HENKEVILLE! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WE'LL BE LIVING ANOTHER TEN YEARS IN HENKE-HELL... J.D. Miller Teena Miller Tino DeOcampo Norman DeOcampo George H. DeOcampo Linda DeOcampo, Sallie M. Dillard Kathy Hoffman Alvaro da Silva Val Flores Foster Hicks Lula Hicks Sherard Hicks Edwina Morgan Gary Salvadori Rosemary Thurston Betty Walker Hazel Wilson Mike Wilson Harold Beaulieu

Silas Barnabe   |March.01.2008 It is a very sad era in Vallejo history. Two council members and the city manager are being blamed by public safety unions simply because they mentioned the words bankruptcy and exposed the backroom dealing that has been practiced in vallejo for decades. Here is a copy of an email the local paper will not print exposing the head of the IAFF 1186 union breaking confidentiality laws. https://ibvallejo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=1 Here is the campaign contributions made to the other council members by safety unions and other special interests. Consider those contributions when you read about how each votes Monday night. https://ibvallejo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=41 6.5 paycut when public safety employees have revieved nearly 40 percent raises in 6 years is incompetence at best and quid quo pro at worst. I finally got to post this on sfgate

Admin   |March.01.2008 :!: Just posted the March Daily Scream. If you mistakenly post into February we'll move for you into March.