On Saturday May 26, 2012 I received the following letter in the mail paid for by Better Sacramento Political Action Committee, major funding by Western Electrical Contractors Association Inc, Good Government PAC, Mark Friedman and Frank Ramos: Dear Rhonda, Your city council district has Sacramento's worst crime area - but your City Councilwoman, Bonnie Pannell, voted to cut police protection and now wants to cut even deeper. Her budget priorities are very wrong. While voting to cut public s... Rhonda Hilbert-Garcia comment-68686 2012-05-30T19:24:53Z 2012-05-30T19:24:53Z Dear Rhonda, I did read the article, and I like it. I agree with you. In this case the media informed in a good manner. As a tax preparer and a handyman is how I support my family. The reason I am running for Mayor, I can assure you, is not about me. I care for others. I really believe that everybody has the right to have a living wage. Everybody has the right to have a better education. Everybody has the right to have access to healthcare. And all this in an environment that is safe for all. I put time out there in the community in different ways. However, maybe you don't know about it because I don't talk too much about myself. But I believe in democracy. And to have the possibility for anyone to be a write-in candidate shows the true meaning of democracy. But when the media, and I am specifically talking about Sacramento Bee, does not inform the people about all the options that are there, I think they are deciding for the voters, and I think that that affects the core of democracy. Like you wrote in your article, all of us candidates should run in a proper way without deceiving or lying. Every one of the candidates supposedly is running to have a better city. To have better neighborhoods. To have better districts. And we have to listen to the people, leaders like you, that I have seen you years back in the city council fighting for District 2. And I did have the opportunity to meet with you, precisely the day that my wife was not invited to a community forum because someone there was deciding for the voters. Winning or losing in this election will not change my way of thinking, and I will keep fighting for a better life for everyone. Hilbert-Garcia 2012-05-30T19:24:53Z politicaldebater comment-68677 2012-05-30T18:13:56Z 2012-05-30T18:13:56Z I like that "Mayor Kevin Johnson Says Betty Williams For City Council" sign. It's like Simon Says. You MUST do as Kevin Johnson tells you! politicaldebater 2012-05-30T18:13:56Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68664 2012-05-30T09:06:55Z 2012-05-30T09:06:55Z evak: I want to sincerely thank you for sharing your story with me. My heart went out to you as I read it. I recall when the man was beat up walking his dog. I’m sorry you have to experience the hate, ignorance and prejudice of mean-spirited people. I needed to hear your story. As Kerridge once told me, 'No one is all good; no one is all bad." Maviglio touched your life. I can see how you feel he's fundamentally a decent guy. Your story brought me to a crossroads where wrath meets love. I can forgive people and not hold it against them personally. But this is business. Maviglio could have defended KJ without attempting to assassinate my character or minimizing the misleading mailers. He could have defended KJ by admitting the mailers were wrong. But it’s because you shared your experiences I’m acknowledging he has a heart for some of us. There are things on my job that I don't like and I have to feed my family, heck I'm barely surviving but I know in my heart that if I do what is right God will make a way. If my job goes under, I will still be lifted. Whatever his reasons for defending KJ is his cross to bare. I wish him well. But when I can't trust someone I dismiss them. This is about more than me; I labor for a community divided into victims and suspects. I have to stay true to my convictions. We are a community that has so little trust having been deceived so often. I cannot embrace someone who has chosen deceit over truth. We, my community is in too much pain. Maviglio in this instance is a rattle snake (he can be a garden snake for others) but he has spit poisonous venom minimizing what was done in district 8 and that is unacceptable. I do with all my heart appreciate you for sharing your story with me. And I give you the utmost respect for speaking up for him and how he stood up for you/ that little girl. I'm genuinely glad he embraced your struggles when you needed him. I applaud him for it. Unfortunately by defending the misconduct towards district 8 he's not embracing my community. And if we, a community divided into victims and suspects, don't stand for something (truth) we will fall for anything (deceit) Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T09:06:55Z evak comment-68663 2012-05-30T07:34:24Z 2012-05-30T07:34:24Z Thanks Rhonda but I honestly don't deserve such high praise. I have been in situations where Steve is now: where I have had to either defend what I didn't agree with or not say anything about it. And, since I have bills to pay too, I swallowed and did it. On a personal note--and though I have never met Steve--I will forever be grateful to him for the role he played in stopping the proposed anti-Israel boycott at the co-op. The reason for that goes back a few years (well, more than a few lol) You see, I grew up Jewish in Russia. Not, what you might call, the best of environments. In the winter (and Russian winters are real winters) I would walk to school with little bits of metal in my mittens so that I (a scrawny little Jewish girl) could fight back against the guys who invariably, invariably lay in wait for the "Yid". (That's actually how I found out I was Jewish--when the guys who beat me told me...) But my family could not leave. You see, my Grandfather was a nuclear physicist and, until he died, we might have "carried State secrets" to America. But he, God rest his soul, wanted us to leave so very, very much. And he wanted us to come to the US, the one place on earth he always told us where there is no anti-Semitism and no Soviet style bureaucracy; where you can be anything you want to be. So, about two years after he passed, we came to the US. And well, there is anti-Semitism but I never got beat up over it and you can become what you want to be. This became my home and I genuinely love it. And then came 9/11. And then.. it's hard for me to describe it. All of a sudden, things became very uncomfortable. A man was beat up for wearing a yarmulka while walking his dog. People started giving me odd looks in public because I wear the Star of David--to the point that my (non-Jewish) husband would ask me to hide my star for safety's sake. And then (we were living in Midtown at that time) one day we rushed out to move our car so as not to get our fourth or fifth citation and there, all along the road were the words in bright yellow "Kill the Jews". And I just froze and for a split second was the little girl again, fearfully walking to school. And then things died down for a bit and then there was that boycott proposal at the co-op and I began to see things getting ugly again. And Steve along with others but very much Steve was at the forefront fighting it. And he defeated it. And as far as I'm concerned (and I think the Israelis are jerks to the Palestinians and the Palestinians are jerks to the Israelis--and I also think that half the time that has little to do with all the calls for boycotts) Steve stood up for that little girl. I am sorry that his job calls for him to defend Kevin Johnson, who I think has been a bad mayor for my city. But I also think that Steve is, fundamentally, a decent guy. evak 2012-05-30T07:34:24Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68662 2012-05-30T06:54:33Z 2012-05-30T06:54:33Z evak; you are right. He's just doing his job. Heck, he's not our elected official. I hold Johnson responsible for Maviglio's actions. By using Maviglio he thinks his hands are clean and he does not have to be held accountable. I'm okay now. When I know their is a snake in the grass and it is the same snake that bit me before I don't pick it back up. I have nothing further to say to Maviglio. It's just a game to him but it's my life. As far as I'm concerned he's dismissed. Thank you evak for your comments. In the words of Margaret Mead, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Having you on this comment board today lifted my spirits. Thoughtful committed citizens such as yourself can change Sacramento dirty politics. Thank you! Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T06:54:33Z evak comment-68659 2012-05-30T05:15:09Z 2012-05-30T05:15:09Z Rhonda: Steve is just doing his job. And in this economy, I can't fault anyone for doing their job and paying their bills. evak 2012-05-30T05:15:09Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68658 2012-05-30T05:10:59Z 2012-05-30T05:10:59Z fifthgensacramentan: And finally, HOW DARE Maviglio post a comment on me in reference to a disclosure when he fails to disclose himself on Sacbee. ALL he had to do was say the mailers were wrong and they don’t support the misconduct. But instead he chose to discredit everyone but the ones who sent out the misleading and deceitful literature?? WHY? because he needs Williams on the council more than he cares about integrity/ or the people of this city. IT IS SHAMEFUL. This was never about Johnson; initially it was about Williams and the misleading mailers. Maviglio stirred Johnson in this shameful pot. Maviglio has done Johnson more harm than good. And as someone on the Bee posted his name should show up next to Johnson on the ballot since he appears to be driving our political machine in the ground. Johnson owes us 3 apologies. The 3rd now being Vespardo7/ Maviglio. I learned a great deal from reading the postings on SacBee and I appreciate you being there to spread the truth over the deceit. Blessings my friend and thank you for being a piece of the puzzle, putting the truth into perspective on SacBee. You’re appreciated and respected. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T05:10:59Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68657 2012-05-30T07:23:15Z 2012-05-30T07:23:15Z fifthgensacramentan: I truly appreciate your comments on the Sacbee opinion piece. I am soooo very impressed. You asked, "Now ask yourself, Do they really want a Better Sacramento for everyone or just themselves?" Heck, the answer-- apparently for themselves. vespardo7 comment towards me is very similar to Maviglio's. Maviglio posted here so WHY wouldn't he post there? Kerridge once told me Nothing is all good; nothing is all bad; no one is all good; no one is all bad. That said, I had not made up my mind on who I would vote for mayor. Forcing myself to give him the benefit of doubt even when knowing of all the other red flags... But after today, I couldn't in good conscious vote for anyone with a manipulative campaign manager on news comment sites attempting to sway public opinion and not represent himself as who he is. I couldn't vote for anyone who would condone the misconduct- instead of speaking up against those who brought the deceit into my district chose to attack those who it concerned. After reading Maviglio/ vespardo7 comments I don't trust our mayor. I didn't know about the SacBee article/comments until you mentioned it. THANK YOU. I was trying to solve a puzzle without a picture; I was looking too hard at Williams and not hard enough at Johnson. Maviglio was here because the crap was hitting the fan (the Bee). In the words of Ghandi, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you then you WIN! -- Johnson may win the election, but a lie can live in the present -it will have no place in the future. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T07:23:15Z evak comment-68655 2012-05-30T04:52:50Z 2012-05-30T04:52:50Z A word about the IECs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_expenditure Or you can just take a look at Colbert's PAC: Colbert, who has been using his Super PAC to dismantle any notion that there aren't enormous loopholes in U.S. campaign finance law, briefly handed over control of his Super PAC to Jon Stewart while exploring a run for "president of the United States of South Carolina" earlier this month. Now that he's officially not running for office, Colbert (who took control of the Super PAC again last night) can go back to doing whatever he wants with the funds. The New York Times took a look through the 147-page document and found some notable funders of the PAC, including Gavin Newsom, the lieutenant governor of California, who gave $500. Also listed are Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), Laura Sangiacomo (Hot in Cleveland), and "small donations from several people with dubious identities, including one in Wisconsin whose name, when pronounced, makes an obscene phrase." In a press release on Colbert's Super PAC site, the late-night comedian explains just what it is that he's managed to accomplish: "We raised it on my show and used it to materially influence the elections – in full accordance with the law. It's the way our founding fathers would have wanted it, if they had founded corporations instead of just a country." http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2012/01/31/stephen_colbert_super_pac_raised_1_02_million.html It is, as you say, all perfectly legal. evak 2012-05-30T04:52:50Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68653 2012-05-30T04:16:07Z 2012-05-30T04:16:07Z evak: I Thank John Donne and I Thank you again! I am printing "No Man Is An Island" and putting it above my desk at home. We are all a piece of the puzzle, each having a slightly different edge, some of us on the corners, and some smack in the middle, but all of us can contribute to the city... I thank you with all my heart, for providing your puzzle pieces today. Sometime ago I use to have lunch with former city manager Ray Kerridge. He would provide me reading material... suggest movies for me to watch.... He once told me to remember to be careful of ego, no one can hurt us but ourself/ our own ego can be our downfall and worse enemy. I try to take heed to those words and now I will put it with no man is an island, always remembering to acknowledge, look for...the efforts of others within the main; Thank you again!! Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T04:16:07Z evak comment-68652 2012-05-30T02:34:58Z 2012-05-30T02:34:58Z Thanks Rhonda but, as I very clumsily indicated, I was "modifying" and poorly at that John Donne's "No Man Is An Island: No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. evak 2012-05-30T02:34:58Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68650 2012-05-30T02:29:52Z 2012-05-30T02:29:52Z I'm not trying to be disrespectful but when you are in an environment where your concerns are often overlooked and or overshadowed by some in office you look to see if those running for office will see your concerns. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:29:52Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68649 2012-05-30T02:34:37Z 2012-05-30T02:34:37Z I too am thankful for Sacramento Press. That said, The quote alleging Bonnie Pannell has “being stunningly tone-deaf” was written on the misleading mailer sent out by Better Sacramento. Considering the misleading and false information placed on the mailer I don't put much weight on that alleged quote. Sir, I'm sorry you did not get the signatures needed, due to a misunderstanding, to be put on the election ballot. However, I'm curious? Why would you simply pull that comment out of the above letter I received? No disrespect, but we have a mayor now who sees himself before he sees many of us. You very well could be a good candidate and I think I met you perhaps spoke to you when your wife was running for council district 5. But what else concerns you in the letter and article? I’m not sure if you read the article because it is titled 'Local media has made race for District 8" and since you have concerns with the media it caught your eye. But after reading it, I'm curious do you have an opinion towards the misleading mailers that went out to district 8? I need to know when I vote for our mayor that he will see all issues and not simply issues pertaining to himself. After all, Johnson spent to much time on an issue (SMP) pertaining to himself. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:34:37Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68647 2012-05-30T02:11:13Z 2012-05-30T02:11:13Z two wrongs do not make a right. At what point do we admit and learn from our mistakes? Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:11:13Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68646 2012-05-30T02:09:40Z 2012-05-30T02:09:40Z evak: again, I am touched, inspired, awakened by your response. Thank you!!! "Because by "city" you must surely mean "Council"; for no mayor (strong or otherwise) is an island entire of himself; he is a piece of the Council which in turn is part of the main: our City. (Thank you John Donne)" Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:09:40Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68645 2012-05-30T02:06:38Z 2012-05-30T02:06:38Z Phillip, thank you for your post. Sir, I used the word informed based on my understanding of the facts of the situation. The Bee used Sacramento Police Department figures as well as census data. Better Sacramento alleges they based their stats on an online police department map. It appears a better question sir, would be why would a consultant use an on line map verses directly contacting the department to ensure amore accurate reading?.... I live in District 8, I am very active in the district addressing violence related issues... In regards to the rest of your comment I am not downplaying any efforts of the city towards housing issues or food.... I have to say evak, has eloquently responded. I do thank the council, mayor and the various departments instrumental in those efforts-- especially the homeless who come to city hall week after week.....- it was definitely not a one-man show. I'm not down-playing progress. But their is no room for deceit within progress. Progress is not giving a man a fish so he can eat for a day; (and a lie has no future) teaching him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime. Progress is reached through truth. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:06:38Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68643 2012-05-30T01:40:11Z 2012-05-30T01:40:11Z evak, oh my gosh, I love your post. "...If the Mayor wishes to distance himself from the .. let us say misleading statistics the Williams campaign has been presenting (what did Disraeli say about statistics? oh yes, "there are lies, danged lies and statistics") he is free to un-endorse Williams...... has he done so?" I am still trying to take in how much I love your post!!! Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T01:40:11Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68642 2012-05-30T02:37:17Z 2012-05-30T02:37:17Z fifthgensacramentan: Thank you! for the post and the link:) I do appreciate SN&R , SacBee and Sacramento Press for looking out for the interests of the residents of the city and giving the community a voice. Regarding the crosshairs of a certain spokesperson, who below writes, "And if you honestly think that Ms. Pannell's votes against police and against anti-gang efforts were good for District 8, then yes, you and I have very different ideas of what is good for that district and our city." Who does he think he's fooling. He's on the outside looking in. He appears to be looking out for the best interest of our mayor / gaining an ally on the council. Heck, I live in District 8, my 19yr-old son has to live in this district. Pannell has not voted against anti-gang efforts nor police. She and other council had to make difficult cuts. But heck, if they just cut the programs we'll really be in deficit needing to continue to hire more and more police. I thank Pannell for seeing the forest (programs and services the youth need) through the trees (law enforcement) Law enforcement is also needed; as a deterrant but not a solution. Considering I live here, I want what's best for my son and my neighbors. He's complaining police and fire unions are bashed but I guess he (our MAYOR'S spokesperson) feels it's okay to bash community members. Thank you for the smiling face I need it today LOL Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:37:17Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68641 2012-05-30T00:38:33Z 2012-05-30T00:38:33Z Mr Maviglio, I Knew you wouldn't answer the questions lol, You're a dismantler; You pick and pull what you think you can use for damage control …It's laughable if you think you're fooling us. I understand what an independent expenditure committee does; I want to know how Johnson feels about what they did lol. So, now you want to minimize my comments by making me appear too simple-minded to get it. You just keep trying to pour salt on wounds underestimating and insulting our intelligence. You have a very long history here and other places of speaking for our public servant- elected official. With all due respect, you're not our elected official, how can I hear from Johnson on whether or not he condones the misleading mailers and if he still endorses a candidate who would allow the misleading mailers to go into our district? Steve, city hall is not a castle. Johnson is not a King. Their is no need for him to have a moat (YOU) around city hall protecting his majesty form "attackers" LOL Can our public servant- the one elected into office- speak up towards an issue which concerns some residents of District 8? Also, Mr Maviglio, the concerns i had and sometimes still have, towards Johnson are usually the same ones towards youth violence and well the leopard didn’t change it’s spots on the issue so I'm consistent in my concerns. lol I don't criticize everything Johnson does, that is a lie. And boo boo, you can say a lie over and over but that will not make it ring true. A lie can take care of the present but it has no future. Thank you Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T00:38:33Z evak comment-68619 2012-05-30T00:04:29Z 2012-05-30T00:04:29Z Steve--The Mayor endorsed Williams and the signs are simply underscoring that. If the Mayor wishes to distance himself from the .. let us say misleading statistics the Williams campaign has been presenting (what did Disraeli say about statistics? oh yes, "there are lies, danged lies and statistics") he is free to un-endorse Williams. That will force the Williams campaign to take down his pic from her signs. has he done so? evak 2012-05-30T00:04:29Z evak comment-68617 2012-05-30T00:07:35Z 2012-05-30T00:07:35Z The Mayor committed to ending homelessness by November of 2011? Impressive. Did it work? evak 2012-05-30T00:07:35Z Steven Maviglio comment-68615 2012-05-29T23:43:50Z 2012-05-29T23:43:50Z Believe it or not Rhonda, I'm not going to comment on your every comment. You have a very long history here of attacking the Mayor and just about everything he does, as well as at City Council meetings as well. Take the time to understand what an Independent Expenditure committee can do and perhaps you wouldn't make the comments you are making here. And if you honestly think that Ms. Pannell's votes against police and against anti-gang efforts were good for District 8, then yes, you and I have very different ideas of what is good for that district and our city. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T23:43:50Z Steven Maviglio comment-68614 2012-05-29T23:40:11Z 2012-05-29T23:40:11Z Please read the comment above yours and you'll have your answer. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T23:40:11Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68610 2012-05-29T23:15:57Z 2012-05-29T23:15:57Z evak: I completely agree with your comment. Thank you. Steve: So how does our mayor feel about the misleading information sent to residents in District 8? Mr hold-a-press-conference-for every little thing suddenly appears mute. I have to run but I look forward to reading your answer when I return Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-29T23:15:57Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68609 2012-05-29T23:06:10Z 2012-05-29T23:06:10Z EVAK: Thank you so very much for your comment. I absolutely agree, why hasn't he removed his photo and dis-associated himself? Could the answer be, he wants her in office by any means necessary?? Throwing integrity in the wind as long as he can get a yes vote on a self-absorbed council matter. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-29T23:06:10Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68608 2012-05-30T02:56:29Z 2012-05-30T02:56:29Z Your argument is the mayor had nothing to do with the independent expenditure. Well, he had nothing to do with the Second Saturday shooting and held a press conference…. Whether or not he had anything to do with it; if he does not condone it why isn’t he speaking out against it? In regards to the Independent Expenditure against Heather Fargo, did Johnson or you speak against it? And what is your point in speaking of apples (Fargo’s campaign) when we’re discussing oranges, this despicable deceitful 2012 District 8 campaign of a candidate our mayor is endorsing? How do you feel about the misleading mailers that were sent to residents of District 8? Does it bother you? Does it even concern you? Or are you simply concerned because you’re the campaign manager for Johnson and it’s appearing to us, the public, that the mayor condones it. Mr Maviglio, I’ll be honest and blunt, I don’t think you give a darn about the residents of district 8 or the fact attempts were made to deceive us. You did not comment on the previous opinion I wrote. I think you came on here to post a comment to do damage control for the mayor because the media gives a darn about the residents of District 8. Does our mayor care more about the media than the people, the residents who vote him into office? I don’t believe your comments are even for me. You appear to be writing for the media and to sway public opinion. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-30T02:56:29Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68607 2012-05-29T22:56:29Z 2012-05-29T22:56:29Z Mr Maviglio, What the heck? You're kidding right?? Their is nothing you can put on a dish that I can't take. I’ve lived a nightmare. I laid over my son as youth came to my home shooting. The shell casings were as big as my thumb, attempting to blow holes through his body. We wrestled trying to take a bullet for one another. I prayed the next bullet would take my life and not my son.... Before that incident I called his phone and the youth responsible for robbing him at gunpoint answered telling me he is DEAD...I drove around looking for a corpse….. Do you honestly think their is anything you can say to me on a poster board that will hurt me?? This is a cake walk. Steve, a mother called me saying, 'Ms Rhonda, my son is dead can I talk to you?" I met her, she showed me a picture. I held her and my heart stood still, I seen him before. He was the armed youth who came to my house attempting to kill my son when I prayed the bullet take my life. I never told her. I've been there for her anytime she calls me. Love has to create a balance in my life so I can live with the pain I've been given. For you to say I’m a hater of Johnson’s is a lie. I'm swollen in pain, their is no room for hate and your criticism bounces off me. To live a nightmare and continuously see deceit all around politics when you want change is overwhelming. Deceit is the reason for the article. Johnson is mentioned because Johnson “is closely aligned with the independent committee” and has not spoken up against the misleading mailers on a candidate he has and continues to endorse. So next time please rest your case in truth. I do not dislike Johnson or you. But I do dislike the deceit ........................ Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-29T22:56:29Z Steven Maviglio comment-68601 2012-05-29T21:37:37Z 2012-05-29T21:37:37Z When it comes to bashing public employees, yes, the Bee editorial board is right there, police and fire at the front of the line. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T21:37:37Z Steven Maviglio comment-68600 2012-05-29T21:36:44Z 2012-05-29T21:36:44Z He must be referring to the Mayor's personal initiatives on homelessness (done outside of Council activity for the most part), which have been lauded by those long active in this community. http://regionalchange.wordpress.com/2010/10/27/mayor-kevin-johnson-commits-to-comprehensive-strategy-to-end-homelessness-in-sacramento-by-november-2011/ Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T21:36:44Z Steven Maviglio comment-68598 2012-05-29T21:32:01Z 2012-05-29T21:32:01Z First of all, the campaign didn't lie to voters. From the response in the Bee yesterday, the IE used numbers from the Sacramento Police website. The Bee did their own "analysis" with their own researchers while the IE used public information. It's kinda silly to argue about how many murders there are in which district? The facts are there is violence in our city and Bonnie Pannell has repeatedly voted against funding for police. The Bee, which editorials against public employees nearly every day of the week, is applauding that. As for the use of the Mayor's photo, it was not supplied by the Mayor's campaign but rather grabbed as public information -- that's what IE's do. He has no power whatsoever to remove his images from materials. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T21:32:01Z Hilbert-Garcia comment-68596 2012-05-29T20:48:55Z 2012-05-29T20:48:55Z "Bonnie Pannell “is stunningly tone-deaf,” wrote the Sacramento Bee." Incredible. The Sacramento Bee cannot even acknowledge me, Edgar Hilbert-Garcia, as a write-in candidate for Mayor. And they're talking about democracy? And criticizing one of the finest of the members of City Council? I believe that the people have the right to choose whatever they think is the best option, and the Sac Bee should just inform the people about their option in an impartial manner. Thank God we have new media like Sacramento Press. Hilbert-Garcia 2012-05-29T20:48:55Z MyQuest comment-68595 2012-05-29T20:28:48Z 2012-05-29T20:28:48Z I'm glad Steve raises the issue of Plumbers and Piperfitters smear campaigns. Labor plays Sacramento politics as a contact sport...no one should complain when another team takes the field. MyQuest 2012-05-29T20:28:48Z evak comment-68590 2012-05-29T19:26:13Z 2012-05-29T19:26:13Z Philip when you talk about "the efforts the city and Mayor have made to help many residents who have found themselves struggling with issues of housing and food" you are referring to Bonnie Pannell's accomplishments in this regard, I take it? Because by "city" you must surely mean "Council"; for no mayor (strong or otherwise) is an island entire of himself; he is a piece of the Council which in turn is part of the main: our City. (Thank you John Donne) evak 2012-05-29T19:26:13Z Phillip Kampel comment-68583 2012-05-29T16:48:23Z 2012-05-29T16:48:23Z Rhonda, without taking sides on the issues you present, may I just ask you to clarify a couple of things. Your use of the word "informed", to describe sources of information you have read, seems unsubstantiated. What is it that makes these sources more informed and a better evaluation of what you label as the truth? Have you done any other research or are you just expressing a preference as to whom you prefer to believe? Next, may I say that it is unfortunate that you find yourself overwhelmed, but does that justify ignoring the efforts the city and Mayor have made to help many residents who have found themselves struggling with issues of housing and food? Or maybe that isn't your definition of being a peasant. If not, what do you mean by that? Certainly there is room for a lot of improvement in this city, but how does downplaying the progress help? Phillip Kampel 2012-05-29T16:48:23Z evak comment-68580 2012-05-29T17:37:19Z 2012-05-29T17:37:19Z The fact is that so long as the Mayor's photo is on Williams' signs (while her own photo btw is conspicuous by its absence) the impression is--and from everything I have read this impression is mostly accurate--that this is the Mayor's campaign at least as much as Williams'. So when the campaign is called for lying to the voters, it is fair to ask the man whose picture appears on the elect Williams signs why the campaign lied. If the Mayor disapproves of such tactics and would like to distance himself from them, he should remove his photo from elect Williams signs. evak 2012-05-29T17:37:19Z fifthgensacramentan comment-68574 2012-05-29T15:51:47Z 2012-05-29T15:51:47Z Rhonda, Looks like you, SN&R and the SacBee are all on the same page today, along with being in the cross-hairs of a certain spokesperson! http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/29/4521699/dishonest-mailer-mars-council.html Imagine that :-)! fifthgensacramentan 2012-05-29T15:51:47Z Steven Maviglio comment-68569 2012-05-29T14:20:23Z 2012-05-29T14:20:23Z Rhonda, give your comments above, I rest my case. Apparently you sure can dish out criticism but can't take it? Fact: This is an INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE -- the Mayor has nothing to do with it. He didn't see it, didn't approve it, didn't provide his photo. Nothing. Perhaps you might recall the Independent Expenditure against the Mayor by Heather Fargo's allies -- maybe these words from the Bee will jog your memory: "Earlier this year, the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447 launched an independent expenditure campaign that smeared Johnson with glossy mailers and a Web site. 'Never before have Sacramento voters seen such a despicable independent expenditure campaign.'" This one isn't even close. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-29T14:20:23Z evak comment-68566 2012-05-29T07:48:20Z 2012-05-29T07:48:20Z If the Mayor had nothing to do with the deceitful attacks, why is his picture the only one on the vote for Williams signs? Wouldn't he want to dis-associate himself from that sort of thing by (for example) not endorsing Wiliams and removing his photo from her signs? evak 2012-05-29T07:48:20Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68562 2012-05-28T16:45:59Z 2012-05-28T16:45:59Z Please tell our mayor he now owes us two apologies. 1) for not speaking up against the deceitful literature brought into district 8 and 2) for you- his campaign manager debating with a community member when he failed to debate with his opponents. You don’t have to attempt to make Johnson look good by attempting to make me look bad. I’m not his opponent. I’m not his enemy. Johnson’s worse enemy is King Johnson not a mere peasant trying to survive in a city where the mayor looks at us when he wants us to look at him. You don’t need to use dirty politics with me/ a city resident. Lol. The only thing transparent about our mayor is I see right through him and you- his campaign manager. He should apologize for adding insult to injury; I'm not a journalist. I am an activist/ a community member. I should have had this discussion with our public servant- my elected official - the King himself and not a member of his court. I wish you a good day Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-28T16:45:59Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68561 2012-05-28T17:13:18Z 2012-05-28T17:13:18Z Shame on you. Mr Maviglio, if I couldn’t run with the big dogs, I wouldn't get off the porch. I'm warning you; It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. Your fastest move will be my slowest. Lol; You're good but I’ve attended many meetings, seen and heard a great deal, combine that with being a mother in deep pain, I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack lol but I‘m smarter than the average bear, boo boo.- lol. You don't care about what I wrote; you care that I gave a compliment to the media... lol 1) As an effort of damage control you attack my character calling me a “hater” of Johnson. Lol 2) You attempt to sway public opinion that I’m biased to minimize any further comment I may raise of my valid complaint and issues stating “I’ve spent 3 yrs posting negative comments… 3) You conveniently leave out the independent committee “is closely aligned with Mayor Kevin Johnson, who also is campaigning for Williams to unseat Pannell…” 4) You play underdog, here you come to save the day lol save Polly (Williams) alleging Pannell “downplayed” the issue of crime when your independent committee exaggerated the stats and sent out misleading information to district 8 ( I provided the news links in the article) Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-28T17:13:18Z Steven Maviglio comment-68539 2012-05-28T14:58:31Z 2012-05-28T14:58:31Z Rhonda's bio should say "Hater of Kevin Johnson." For the past three years, she's done nothing but post negative comments about him. The fact is that the information she is complaining about was done by an independent expenditure committee; the Mayor has absolutely nothing to do with it. And she might note that the information is correct in that Ms. Pannell has repeatedly voted to cut police and fire services in her district, and that in a debate last week also downplayed the issue of crime. Steven Maviglio 2012-05-28T14:58:31Z Rhonda Erwin comment-68533 2012-05-28T02:30:00Z 2012-05-28T02:30:00Z Heck, I wish I would have caught up on my reading before I wrote my previous article. Had I known of the SN&R article and the additional articles to follow of the negative campaign in District 8; I wouldn't have been so angry. lol Just goes to show their is always a balance; if we look for it and when we vegetate in our own little corner we fail to see the efforts, labor, deeds of so many others. Rhonda Erwin 2012-05-28T02:30:00Z