I am floored at how KJ can have repeated ethical issues, yet none of the mainstream media in Sacramento reports on any of it. These aren't just a few isolated incidents. There is a clear pattern of shadyness, red-flags, and finger-pointing. I hope that those who oppose the SMI will get involved. KJ and his money/connections will able to fund a campaign that (more likely than not) be full of lies, mistruths, empty promises, and hot air. How this guy has gotten away with so much for so long is a mystery.

PS - Please note that I have used my real name. I'm not afraid to participate in democracy; Sacramento and it's future are too important.

Wow. Reading this left me speachless. One expression came to mind: If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Mr. Maviglio participated in most of the behavior that he says is causing him to leave this site. Speaking from my own personal experience, he made accusations about me that were untrue. I asked repeatedly for him to back up his statements with any kind of evidence but he failed to do so. As the mayor's behavior/actions are increasingly drawing criticism/concern for more and more Sacramento residents, it definitely is much easier to bail then to stay. I find it hard to believe that someone who has a long career of working for politicans such as our Republican governor, would be so distraught at some people's actions that he chooses to stop participating in a public forum. This shouldn't be completely shocking - Mr Maviglio was one of the people who met behind closed doors (without any imput from residents) to draft the Strong Mayor Initiative. This is just another example in an increasingly long list of concerns I have about Kevin Johnson and the people he surrounds himself with... So what lesson is learned here? When there is disagreement what do you do? Stay and try to share your viewpoint or leave and point your finger at people and accuse them of acting the same way you have? I should not have expected any less. Power to the people.

Bottled water is one of the worst things for the environment. Nestle is also a company that has a long history of significant ethical issues - from encouraging mothers in developing countries to give their babies formula over their own breast milk (and telling them that it was better for their babies) to extracting water against the will of people in Brazil to labor rights violations in the Philippines to recently buying milk from the farm owned by the wife of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, one of the worst dictators in Africa. Is this really the kind of company that Kevin Johnson feels is a good fit for Sacramento? It's disturbing that Kevin Johnson thinks this is a good idea. It's even more disturbing that Kevin Johnson that wants more power so (in his own words) he could have been more involved in bringing this plant to Sacramento.

Jim Knapp, I am kindly asking one more time: Please offer one piece of evidence that backs up your statement that I "have an ax to grind" and that I am a "Fargonian Droid." You have an incredible ability to make statements and accusations without any evidence to back it up. Again, I look forward to your response (that hopefully will have more heft to it than "Evidence? I use google"

Jim Knapp, You have made several repeated accusations that I am a "Fargonian Droid" and have an "ax to grind." Could you please provide one piece of evidence to support you statement? I think civil discourse is great - however when you make personal accusations against someone withou any proof, it becomes troubling. I look forward to your response.

Jim Knapp, Everything that was in my story was also in the Sacramento Bee & covered on Capital Public Radio. I brought up the Strong Mayor Iniative because (as a recent editorial in the Bee described very effectively) there are many concerns regarding Johnson's ability to manage people. When an acclaimed Art Director who moved here from Phoenix at Johnson's requests resigns and closes a gallery that is a cornerstone of the redevelopment of Oak Park, I think it is important to talk about why she is leaving. Fargo Droid? Interesting. Because I may have voted or not voted for her? Would I be a droid if I was a lifelong political operative who is working "for free" on the Johnson staff?

This is not just a personal matter. Sacramento is losing one of the area's greatest artistic minds because of (in Curry-Evan's own words), "I have recently received information regarding St. HOPE founder Kevin Johnson's personal behavior and actions that make me unable to continue working for St. HOPE." Given the recent developments regarding the strong mayor iniative, it's more important than ever to question Kevin Johnson's ability to effectively lead and manage people. When (as you state) a long-time friend leaves an organization she loves because of the Mayor's behavior and action, it's a sad day for our city.

As a quick point of reference, here is the link to the article I wrote earlier this year about this issue: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/8804/Mayor_Johnson_Seeks_More_Power I would like to point out some of the coments that Steven Magivlio left in response to my article. What I find funny and sad is that the concerns he raised after reading my article could be cut and pasted into the comment sections here.. I would have expected more from someone who has a long career in politics and has significantly more experience in creating spin that I do.. "This isn't an article; this is a biased, one-sided perspective trying to disguise itself as a news article." "This "article" violates the Sacramento Press guidelines; it's a press release..." "Reporters research FIRST, then report." I look forward to Mr Maviglio's response, as well as the response from the staff at Sacramento Press.

WOW! I got accused of writing a biased story about this same topic by the writer of this article. Does the staff here really think this is an objective article? I'm not trying to complain, but my goodness - there isn't even an attempt to present differing opinions! The author was also the campaign manager of Kevin Johnson and a current "volunteer" on the mayor's staff. Is this an article or an opinion piece?

If you are interested in going, get your tickets NOW. This will definitely sell out! Last night I heard that less than 100 tickets are left.

On a related/unrelated note, SAG had a fundraiser tonight at Mason's. Unfortunately, I was not invited, but I heard that real estate interests were well represented. I also heard that there was a minor conversation about this article! The city announces that over 160 employees will be laid off and what do those closest to Johnson (and some of his largest financial supporters) decide to do? Hold an expensive fundraiser at a downtown restaurant. Let them eat cake! Perhaps the republican leanings of Hiltchak are rubbing off on Johnson! Steven M - I don't not have the years and years of political insider experience you have. I'm simply a citizen that loves his city and is concerned for it's future. Regardless of perspective, I would think that you would foster a healthy, civic debate - but instead, you have accused me of spreading false information and violating the Sacramento Press Terms of Service. I'm disappointed. bbbbmer - I enjoyed reading your comments and wanted to state again that the people at Sacramento Press talked with me twice before touching my article - they provided objective, constructive feedback. This was my first time doing something like this, so I definitely appreciate their assistance. I hope to post a new article next week.

Wow - I had no idea that my article will spark such a response! I just want to be very clear - I'm not a union member, a political consultant, or a political insider. I don't work for the city, county, or state. Outside of Prop 8/marriage equality groups, I don't belong to any political organizations. I have never written an article like this before. I wasn't expecting career political spinsters to come out swinging so hard. The great thing about telling the truth is that is horrifically disarming to those that want to discredit your argument. You can try to spin truth, but you can't beat it. I also wanted to thank Colleen & Ben at the Sacramento Press who were very helpful in sharing resources and ideas that I will use in my next article. I've enjoyed reading Sacramento Press the last few months and look forward to getting more involved. I firmly stand by what I originally wrote, although I understand the slight modifications that the staff here made. I am in the process of doing some research that will hopefully shed more light on this situation.

Below are some references proving the information contained in my article. I have included selected text, as well as links for the entire articles, so that readers can determine the truth for themselves. If you are going to accuse someone of knowingly spreading false information, I would double check your facts first. 1. Please see this line in the article below - "The draft's author, attorney Thomas W. Hiltachk, said the measure would give the mayor more power than counterparts in Oakland and Fresno." How Sacramento strong mayor plan stacks up By Ryan Lillis (mailto:rlillis@sacbee.com) Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1532584.html As strong mayor systems go, the one proposed for Sacramento by Mayor Kevin Johnson is about as muscular as they get. The initiative drafted by Johnson's attorneys gives the mayor powers equal to chief executives in the largest cities in California and other parts of the country, according to outside observers and the lawyer who drafted the measure. Notably, the Sacramento plan would greatly reduce the city manager's influence, from controlling city policy to acting as the mayor's administrator. And, according to a summary of the initiative written by the Sacramento City Attorney's Office, the measure would also reduce the City Council's power. The draft's author, attorney Thomas W. Hiltachk, said the measure would give the mayor more power than counterparts in Oakland and Fresno. The City Council, however, would gain controls not seen in other strong mayor cities, including power to confirm mayoral appointees, Hiltachk said. 2. Mr Hiltchak was one of the leaders of a GOP group that sought to the change the "winner takes all" presidential election process in California. GOP electoral effort founders By Dan Morain, TLA Times Staff Writer September 28, 2007 - http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/28/nation/na-initiative28 Two leaders abandon an initiative that would change the state's winner-take-all rule in presidential voting. SACRAMENTO — A proposed California initiative campaign that could have helped Republicans hold on to the White House in 2008 was a shambles Thursday night, as two of its key consultants quit. Unable to raise sufficient money and angered over a lack of disclosure by its one large donor, veteran political law attorney Thomas Hiltachk, who drafted the measure, said he was resigning from the committee. Hiltachk's departure is a major blow to the operation because he organized other consultants who had set about trying to raise money and gather signatures for the initiative. Campaign spokesman Kevin Eckery said he was ending his role as well. There remained a chance that the measure could be revived, but only if a major donor were to come forward to fund the petition drive. However, time is short to gather the hundreds of thousands of signatures needed by the end of November. And backers said Thursday that they believed the measure was all but dead, at least for the 2008 election. Intended for the June 2008 ballot, the proposed initiative sought to change California's winner-take-all system to require that electoral votes be awarded based on how individual congressional districts vote. Democrats were alarmed by the measure because they assume the Democratic nominee must capture all of California's 55 electoral votes to win the presidency. With Republicans holding 19 congressional seats in California, the GOP nominee would be expected to capture at least 19 of the state's electoral votes, nearly as many as are in Ohio. 3. Mr Hiltachak is clearly identified as a Republican leader by Capitol Weekly. Capitol Weekly's Top 100 List, Part II 04/23/09 http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=xxebzaroirtenr 68. Tom Hiltachk, managing partner, Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk Hiltachk is more than an attorney, he’s a political animal. Never one to shy away from a partisan or political fight, Hiltachk was the man behind a plan to split California’s electoral votes (which would have significantly eased the Republican path to the presidency). Though the plan never went anywhere, the plan showed Hiltachk’s true colors – a political warrior who is not afraid to use the judicial branch to help achieve Republican goals.

Hello... I'm not a union member - not sure where you got that from. I find it a little interesting that you accuse me of sharing knowingly false information, yet I have no idea how/why you would think that I am a member of a union. All of the information I shared was also reported in other publications/sources: KCRA, Sac Bee, and SNR. What information is false? I would be more than happy to provide detailed references for everything included in my story. Sac Press Staff - If I have violated any TOS, I apologize. Please let me know what I need to do to correct it.

Volunteers would not replace police, but would assist them in controling crowds and having another set of eyes on the streets - the same way neighborwood watch groups assist police in protecting neighborhoods. Second Saturday is a wonderful event! I think asking citizens to assist with this is a wonderful idea - it leverages the limited resources of the city while providing much needed services to an important event!