Newest articles on The Sacramento Press written by Rhonda Erwin

Thank you Councilmembers Sandy Sheedy and Rob Fong

2012-12-01T07:00:51Z

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

There are always more opportunities in life, somewhere over the rainbow; another opportunity is coming for both Councilmember Sandy Sheedy and Councilmember Rob Fong.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

I truly and with all my heart will miss not seeing both Councilmembers Robert Fong and Sandy Sheedy at city council sessions.

Councilmember Sandy Sheedy has, in my opinion, given her heart in representing District 2 of the City of Sacramento. She has been a member of the Sacramento City Council since 2000 when she was elected. Before I welcome the new councilmember for District 2 I have to show appreciation and respect for the councilmember who served her District for twelve years and who previously served on the Sacramento Planning Commission.

While Sheedy may not have always agreed with comments I made at city council sessions; her heart and mind was open to hearing my pleas, concerns and pain towards addressing youth violence and other city related issues.

Councilmember Seedy I will miss you. I will miss your smile and the attention you gave me as I spoke. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the dreams that you dare to dream will come true. When one door closes another will open. I look forward to seeing you walk through another public service door. And when you find the opportunity that is right for you many within our community will stand to greet you.

Councilmember Sheedy, I have a great deal of respect for you. Please do not look long and regretfully upon the closed door that you fail to see the door which has opened for you.

Before I welcome the new councilmember for District 4 I have to show appreciation and respect for the councilmember who served his District for over eight years. Councilmember Robert Fong has, in my opinion, given his heart in representing District 4 of the City of Sacramento. He was elected in 2004. He served on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education for several years prior to being elected to the city council. Fong is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley and a firecracker when stating or opposing a case on council.

While he may not have always agreed with comments I made at city council sessions he too opened his heart and mind to hearing my pleas, concerns and pain towards addressing youth violence and other city related issues.

Councilmember Fong, I will miss you. I will miss the way you would go into a sincere stare as I spoke as if something I said touched you. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies for you are also blue and the dreams that you dare to dream will come true. Dream Big! When one door closes another will open and many within the community will also greet you with open arms.

Councilmember Fong, I have a great deal of respect for you. Please do not look long or regretfullyupon the closed door that you fail to see the door which has also opened for you.

The last few years could not have been easy for either Councilmember Fong or Sheedy as they attempted to find order within chaos. I respect them for staying tough and true to their beliefs.

Over the years I have grown to have a great deal of respect for them both. They will truly and sincerely be missed.

Thank you for your efforts, labor and hearts. May you both be blessed for your efforts serving our community.

Open Letter to Sacramento City Council to think big

2012-08-27T05:31:19Z

On Tuesday August 28, 2012 it is rumored Virginia Beach City Counsel will hear a presentation from Comcast-Spectacor to build a new Sports/ Entertainment arena in Virginia Beach.

It is also rumored the Maloofs are looking to move the Sacramento Kings to Virginia Beach if their city council approves the new arena deal.

According to a USA Today article, Eric W. Rose, the Maloofs’ spokesman, said: “It is becoming clearer that the foundation of Think Big is built on fabrication and deception. The name of the organization should be changed to Think Big Fraud,”

Wouldn’t the allegations of "the foundation of Think Big is built on fabrication and deception" warrant our city council to show concern, raise questions and provide the residents of Sacramento the truth as to why the Maloofs backed out of the deal?

Does Sacramento want to keep or seek a sports team under any means necessary including behaving unethically?

Does our city counsel condone poor sportsmanship as long as it allows us to keep an NBA team?

Should our Mayor and Think Big share in the responsibility of the failed deal?

Should they represent our city in negotiating future deals when they appear to be thieves and attempted to steal and sell the Kings from underneath the Maloofs? (see below Sports Illustrated article)

On the February 12, 2012 letter Think Big sent to Chris ~~Steve~~ Hansen, it begins, “ On behalf of the 99% of us who make up the wonderful mosaic that is the great City of Sacramento, we have one message for the top 1/10th of the 1% who is engaged in actions detrimental to our community: KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OUR KINGS."

Does Think Big represent 99% of us?

When Anaheim showed interest in the Sacramento Kings, it appears Sacramento attempted to strong arm the King owners and threaten Anaheim in efforts to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

When Seattle showed interest in the Sacramento Kings, Think Big sent a wild-wild-west-meet-us-at-high-noon-for-battle-letter to Chris Hansen ironically accusing Seattle of engaging in “predatory behavior.”
http://www.thinkbigsacramento.com/assets/Public-Reports/Open-Letter-CH.pdf

Did we behaved ethically in trying to keep the team and reach a deal? Is Think Big giving us a one-sided description of what went wrong? Are they credible?

Should we look into the actions of Think Big before pressing forward in search of a Baseball team to ensure another deal will not go sour?

I appreciate and respect a mayor strong enough to fight for our city. But shouldn’t we fight ethically and with integrity?

It is written in a Think Big press release “Central Florida is a long way from Sacramento, but the story has traveled. Everyone you meet at All-Star Weekend wants to hear about how Sacramento has managed one of the great municipal recoveries in sports history, yanking a team back home after another city had a contract ready to sign, seal and steal. “ http://www.thinkbigsacramento.com/assets/Press-Releases/Sacramento-Miracle-Talk-of-Town-in-Orlando-022612.pdf Why then does it appear the Maloofs are continuously looking to relocate?

It appears a story has again traveled that the Maloofs can not work with someone they do not trust. http://insidebiz.com/news/sources-sacramento-kings-may-move-virginia-beach-arena-deal-works

While Virginia Beach city counsel meets to discuss building a new arena which could possibly house our Sacramento Kings why isn't our city counsel meeting to determine if Sacramento -while thinking big- used unethical strong arm tactics to attempt to sell and steal the Kings from the Maloofs?

Are we thieves? Did we fight to keep the Kings by any means necessary? Were we going to dribble our integrity for a game of sports? Do you think our actions were foul?

Why would the Maloofs want to stay in a city that attempted to steal their team? Why is Think Big spreading rumors the Maloofs do not care about Sacramento when it seems we did not care about the Maloofs and attempted to keep the team by thievery?

Thank You

Rhonda Erwin
Sacramento City Resident

Below is the Sports Illustrated Article highlighting Sacramento Mayor Johnson attempt to steal the Sacramento Kings from the Maloofs.

After reading it perhaps we should ask ourselves why would the Maloofs want to stay in Sacramento?

“SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Before the mudslinging became a routine public affair here, the harsh words between city officials and the Maloof family that owns the Kings were typically kept behind closed doors.

And so it was in the late morning of March 29 inside a conference room at Old City Hall, where Mayor and former NBA point guard Kevin Johnson dished his dirt while speaking to about 25 members of the Kings' A-list team sponsors. Despite all the excitement surrounding the handshake deal for a new downtown arena made more than a month before, Johnson -- who raised some $10 million from these same business leaders the year before as a way of showing the league how badly the Maloofs had mismanaged this market -- had a warning for the group.

He told them that a bit of bad arena news "might be coming out of L.A.," as one source who was in the room remembered, a clear foreshadowing of the Los Angeles Times report published just hours later that detailed the Maloofs' concerns about the deal and raised the possibility yet again that they might be on the move. Johnson … said the Maloofs "should be ashamed to show their faces in Sacramento," the source said, then offered an unsolicited reminder that his Plan B was still very much in play: Ron Burkle.

A year after Johnson partnered with the L.A.-based billionaire to put pressure on the Maloofs to sell the Kings, sources say he remains in constant contact with Burkle and is still hopeful that he will eventually take over the team and keep it in Sacramento. Burkle, the Pittsburgh Penguins' owner who was ranked 107th on Forbes' list of richest people in America last year (net worth of $3.2 billion), was a major part of Johnson's pitch to stop the Maloofs from moving to Anaheim.

This push to force the Maloofs out was already underway on Thursday, when 26 Sacramento business owners sent a letter to NBA commissioner David Stern urging him to "strongly encourage" the family to sell. That message came directly from Johnson's camp for the first time on Sunday, by way of a 1,853-word letter sent to members of Johnson's regional initiative, "Think Big Sacramento

Editor's note: Edits have been made to names in this article after publishing.

Think Big makes Sacramento look small

2012-08-23T19:25:13Z

Tuesday August 21, 2012 My retired uncle and his retired best friend went to Arco Arena to purchase their half season Kings tickets.

They were in the first group. They walked on the floor choosing their seats and glad to be in a position to support Sacramento and the Kings. They spent a little over $700.00 each to purchase the upstairs half season tickets.

Today, after reading, Inside Business, The Hampton Business Journal’s article, ‘Sources: Sacramento Kings may move to Virginia Beach, arena deal in the works’ I phoned my uncle asking him how he felt of the Kings leaving to Virginia Beach.

Shocked, my uncle stated “They never told us of the proposed plans. If so I would not have purchased the tickets.”

My uncle realizes the move will be after the season however he insists he would not have supported or bought the tickets had he known the Kings were expected to announce today they would leave for Virginia Beach.

Learning of the proposed move to Virginia Beach concerned my uncle. However, what concerned me even more was the perception Virginia Beach, ESPN and USA Today readers have regarding our Sacramento Mayor and “Think Big, the committee formed by Johnson to retain the Kings”

Surely we want a leader to put Sacramento on the map. But one would hope Sacramento will be considered a trustworthy business city and not one considered untrustworthy and associated with fraud. Below are highlights of the article:

“Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento and a former NBA standout, has tried to keep the Kings in his city. The Maloofs have said they no longer trust Johnson and don’t want to work with him, according to ESPN in April, prior to the deal collapsing.
“You can’t do a deal with somebody you don’t trust,” George Maloof Jr. said, according to The Sacramento Bee. “I don’t trust him.”

Amid negotiations over the new entertainment complex in Sacramento, elected officials representing the city criticized the Maloofs, saying they’ve turned their backs on the city late in the game, the ESPN article said.

Chris Lehane, executive director of Think Big, the committee formed by Johnson to retain the Kings, compared dealing with the Maloofs to dealing with one of the world’s most inscrutable and widely criticized governments. Lehane, who stepped down from his position in June, at one point, asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate the Maloof brothers, according to a USA Today report.

Eric W. Rose, the Maloofs’ spokesman, said: “It is becoming clearer that the foundation of Think Big is built on fabrication and deception. The name of the organization should be changed to Think Big Fraud,” the USA Today article said.

http://insidebiz.com/news/sources-sacramento-kings-may-move-virginia-beach-arena-deal-works

District 8 Council Race moving forward

2012-06-05T22:50:13Z

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, I feel as if I have two wolves fighting for my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, violent one, the other wolf is the loving compassionate one." The grandson asked him "which wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."- Black hawk

The race for District 8 council seat has been difficult and upsetting. Often times I was angered with the misleading information on the mailers sent to residents in district 8. Often times I had to force myself to starve my anger and feed the compassion within my heart.

I do not understand what would make Williams, who until now, had never publicly criticize or attack Pannell, fight so aggressively attempting to make herself look good by making Pannell look bad.

I am not sure why Williams resorted to shameful tactics to attempt to win the District 8 council seat. I am unsure why mailers had to have the words "endorse by Kevin Johnson written on them" It confuses me as to why Williams, having labored within Sacramento, did not attempt to get in office on her own merits.

I kept asking myself why would Williams feel she needs Johnson to lift her into office? I am concerned as to if Williams will feel obligated to Johnson for his role in attempting to gain the District 8 council seat for Williams.

I am glad this day has arrived and the votes will be counted and we can move forward beyond this distraction in our lives.

Prior to our 2012 District 8 council race I did not consider elections a distraction. I welcomed the day to hear of the passion and changes our candidates would offer.

Williams consistently failed to give us her vision for moving the district forward and simply criticized our current councilwoman and often in a not so truthful manner.

I could not even bring myself to writing about the most recent mailer which showed a lighter background /complexion Williams smiling so brightly with the words 'Moving Us Forward."

The reverse side of the mailer showed a darker background/ complexion Pannell without a smile with the words, 'Holding Us Back" boldly written nearby.

It was an upsetting distraction seeing the obvious attempt of psychological manipulation with the light vs. dark; inviting smile verses silly photo to manipulate us.

Williams latest mailer states, 'The old ways of doing things no longer work. I will bring new solutions...restore the services we pay for... (and) make sure your tax dollars are wisely spent". The city of Sacramento is in deficit; the mailer fails to inform us on how Williams proposes to restore our services.

District 8 residents had to plow through so much deceit with this election.

Franklin P Adams once wrote, "Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody." It appears candidate Williams, by failing to offer us solutions, was not attempting to have us vote for her. Williams attempted to simply yet aggressively have us vote against Pannell.

I am hoping District 8 residents will not be swayed by the misinformation mailers and the latest psychological manipulation photos and vote for Pannell, the best candidate to represent our district.

It is sad and upsetting that Williams chose to run such a manipulative campaign. How do we move foward with Williams when she moved in deceit and manipulation?

Their were times it was extremely difficult to not feed into the anger in my heart towards Williams campaign. It was not always easy to starve the anger I felt towards Mayor Johnson for endorsing such a manipulative campaign.

But to move us forward we have to feed into the love we possess for District 8 and starve the anger of the dirty politics played by Williams that were endorsed by Mayor Johnson.

No matter who wins the election we must continue to love our District and labor to make it a better place for our children.

Thank you Councilwoman Pannell for putting your heart and soul into District 8 and I hope you win. You have my vote due to your efforts and integrity.

Disclosure: District 8 resident

District 8 Mailer- Without a vision the people will perish

2012-05-30T10:55:45Z

I was preparing for bed and decided to take a look at today's mail. I received another campaign mailer Paid for By Better Sacramento Political Action Committee, major funding by Western Electrical Contractors Association, Inc. Good Government PAC, Mark Friedman and Frank Ramos.

The mailer has a photo of a pastor written next to him are the words:

Bonnie Pannell has disappointed us.

"All too often I have witnessed her stand in the way"

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is working hard to improve our community--- to create real jobs, grow economy, reform our stagnant government, and increase much needed public safety.

Sadly, our Mayor can't count on City Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell to listen honestly and without the influence of 'other interest." Instead of helping, all too often I have witnessed her stand in the way of progress.

I firnly believe that to move our great city and district forward, it's time for visionary new leadership.
signed Dr. Darryl B. Heath, Pastor.

The back of the mailer states:

BONNIE PANNELL HAS FAILED OUR COMMUNITY:

Voted to cut 82 police officers' jobs while hiring a new city manager for $300,000 a year. Sacramento Bee, 08-11-11

Asked, "why are we spending more money on thepolice department if we have the second highest crime rate in the state?" Sacramento Observer, 09-09-11

"While voting to cut public safety, Bonnie Pannell voted to pay a new city manager $305,000 plus a $150,000 bonus- making him the highest paid employee in Sacramento history."- Crime Victims United of California Advisory Board Member Sabrina Berhane

Bonnie Pannell "is stunningly tone-deaf...pay hikes for top bureaucrats ought to be off the table." Sacramento Bee, 12-18-10

Pannell told a citizen: 'Screw folks' constitutional rights." Sacramento News and Review 12-08-11

She even called a 61-year-old woman an "a**hole." Fox 40 News

The Sacramento Bee says Pannell is "Stunningly tone-deaf:"" While laying off workers and cutting services, she demanded big pay raises for two of Sacramento's highest paid bureaucrats, saying they were "underpaid."

Does this pastor live in our district? Is the church in our district?

The mailer fails to mention Councilmember Pannell is endorsed by the Sacramento Bee and Sacramento News & Review.

This is absolutely unbelievable. For a pastor to state "All to often I have witnessed her stand in the way" is unbelievable. I invite the pastor to come on this site and share all the times he has witnessed Pannell stand in the way. In the way of what?

Sadly, residents in District 8 can't count on a Pastor to see through deceit--unbelievable.

Williams is blessed. Councilmember Pannell decided to not fight dirty and send out mailers pulling all her quotes out of context.

Councilmember Bonnie Pannell has not disappointed me.

Dr. Darryl B. Heath, Pastor has disappointed me!- and without a vision the people will perish. Unbelievable!

Disclosure: District 8 resident

Opinion: Local media have made race for Council District 8 more transparent

2012-05-28T02:12:53Z

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 safety, Bonnie Pannell:

- Voted to pay a new city manager $305,000, plus a $150,000 - making him the highest-paid employee in Sacramento history

- Demanded big raises for two of Sacramento's highest-paid employees, saying they were "underpaid"

- Rejected a free budget audit by a national accounting firm that could have prevented cuts in public safety

Bonnie Pannell “is stunningly tone-deaf,” wrote the Sacramento Bee. With city services being slashed and workers being laid off, “pay hikes for top bureaucrats ought to be off the table.”

We agree. To protect public safety, it’s time for someone new.

Sincerely,

Sabrina Berhane
Advisory Board Member
Crime Victims United of California

It is again disappointing to receive literature from the United Crime Victims of California relating to District 8. It is concerning, when the author of the literature has previously sent out misleading information regarding crime, unemployment, Councilmember Pannell and efforts to keep the public safe.

On Saturday I also read an article within the Sacramento Bee where an informed SacBee analysis found, "Ad targeting Pannell distorts crime stats" http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/26/4517791/business-group-issues-misleading.html The article states, "A campaign mailer attacking Sacramento Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell exaggerates crime and unemployment figures in Pannell's south Sacramento district."

As I continued reading articles relating to Sacramento local elections I found the following article within the Sacramento News and Review "Pannell, McCarty" http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/pannell-mccarty/content?oid=6025647 The informed article states, "Two incumbents on the Sacramento City Council—Bonnie Pannell in District 8 and Kevin McCarty in District 6—have served the city well and deserve another term."

Today, I also read "No promises" a May 3, 2012 Sacramento News & Review article where I learned of the city's Code of Fair Campaign Practices pledge: http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/no-promises/content?oid=5889097 The article reads "Of the 21 candidates running for city council or mayor, just six have refused to sign the city’s Code of Fair Campaign Practices pledge.

"But Mayor Kevin Johnson ally Betty Williams has already chosen to go negative on her opponent, incumbent councilwoman Bonnie Pannell. One Williams brochure attacks Pannell for opposing Johnson on his strong-mayor initiative and a key redistricting vote." SN&R

"Williams just got $25,000 from independent-expenditure committee Better Sacramento Political Action Committee to help her keep up the attack. Better Sacramento is the outgrowth of the so-called Sacramento 60, a group of businessmen and developers who formed to support strong-mayor and other Johnson initiatives." SN&R

The negative and misleading District 8 council election literature is concerning. Citizens in the city of Sacramento are entitled to truth and transparency. Thomas Jefferson once said, ""The sheep are happier of themselves, than under the care of wolves." It is alarming when their are wolves attempting to manipulate the public during elections.

Elections can be overwhelming when you are struggling for truth and a better quality of life.

When I received the first misleading mailer I was angry and wrote of the shameful tactics. Years ago, a friend of mine was murdered in District 8 near Danger Island and another in G Parkway. I seen the improvements to clean up the area. I seen the results of councilwoman Bonnie Pannell determination to improve the quality of life for many in District 8.

Today, as I was catching up on my election reading, I learned while residents of District 8 are given misleading information by the Better Sacramento Political Action Committee; our local media has given us truth and transparency.

It is unacceptable our mayor, who wanted more power - through a strong mayor iniatiative- will walk away from this election not being held accountable for his role in dirty politics. Not assuring residents of District 8 are provided a truthful opportunity to vote for the best candidate to represent our district is shameful.

It is disturbing our mayor does not hold transparency and truth as a vital component for public office for himself and our council/ candidates.

It is unacceptable candidate Williams did not run a clean campaign. It is disappointing candidate Williams did not compliment Pannell on her labor and then informed us ways if elected she (Williams) can do a better service for the district.

As a resident of District 8 I feel we are entitled to an apology from both Mayor Johnson and Candidate Williams.

As a low income city resident I am overwhelmed with life's struggles. It is overwhelming to see the deceitful tactics condoned by our mayor and council candidates wanting to represent us.

Thank you Sacramento Press, Sacramento News and Review and Sacramento Bee for giving us the transparency the citizens of Sacramento are deserving of.

I read so many well-informed comments on the Sacramento Press by so many community members on various city agenda topics. I am truly impressed by the citizens of Sacramento who are actively engaged in our city politics.

Our mayor, elected officials and candidates, such as Williams, may have thousands of dollars to fund their campaigns. But to have an engaged community with an unbiased media is priceless during an election.

It appears, in regards to transparency and accountability, the residents of Sacramento do not need a strong mayor form of government. If we have determined community members combined with an informed media we can hold our elected officials accountable and vote the undeserving out of office.

I hope election 2012 will teach Sacramento elected officials and candidates that it is your labor combined with integrity that will vote you in office. And be careful, regardless of whether you have labored; a deceitful, negative and misleading campaign or endorsement of one will result in you losing our trust and vote.

Someone once said, 'A lie can take care of the present but it has no future."

I want to offer my sincere appreciation and thanks to both Sacramento's engaged community members and writers within our local media. Due to your efforts, it seems, Transparency in government has a future in Sacramento.

Disclosure: resident of district 8 overwhelmed by negative and untruthful campaign literature

District 8 Council Seat - Shameful

2012-05-22T03:21:58Z

"There is a black street. The road is black. The houses are black, and there are no lights on of any kind. A black car comes down the road with no lights on. A black dog runs in front of the car. The car swerves and misses the dog. How did the driver see the dog?" (The answer to this riddle will follow later.)

I live in Sacramento, a city where politics and greed often overshadow life and freedom for our youth. When I receive literature pertaining to a council seat for the district I reside in, I prefer transparency and truth.

The literature I received supporting District 8 candidate Betty Williams is alarming.

To use our pain and suffering from youth death and youth arrest as a propaganda vehicle to get into office insults and underestimates our intelligence, our pain, our labor and our efforts.

It is disappointing to see candidate Betty Williams would attempt to get in office by any means necessary, including the empty tactic of attempting to make yourself look good by simply making someone else look bad.

The first pamphlet I received endorsing Williams has a photo of the candidate at the gang task force press conference with Johnson and Captain Dan Scheide photographed behind her.

Candidate Betty Williams spoke at the press conference of the high-profile barbershop shooting with no mention to the youth whose deaths were not high profile.

Both Mayor Johnson and, it seems, Williams are consistently photographed by the media only when looking at high-profile cases such as the Second Saturday shooting and the barbershop shooting.

Councilmember Bonnie Pannell looks at the deaths of all our youth as worthy of addressing. She is not looking for media attention. She is looking at finding resources for the youth.

According to candidate Williams pamphlet, there were 312 crimes in District 8 in August, and 121 were violent crimes. The pamphlet does not mention crime rates from the rest of the year.

The pamphlet does not give us any research-based information comparing a crime wave or crime trend in August 2010, 2009, 2008, or previous years.

The pamphlet fails to mention whether the suspects were residents of District 8 or residents of Sacramento County or surrounding districts and cities.

Most importantly, the pamphlet fails to mention what Williams will do to effectively address crime.

The pamphlet fails to mention the numerous efforts of Pannell.

Mayor Johnson jumped on the crime bandwagon to get into office. He was not in attendance at crime forums prior to running for office. He began addressing a gang summit when gathering signatures and hoping for votes for the strong mayor initiative.

The pamphlet also reads, "Too many people not working: 52% of people in District 8 are either unemployed or out of the workforce. This means 1 of every 2 people are not working.”

The pamphlet fails to mention how many of the residents are not working because they are retired, nor how many just moved into the district or city, or the unemployment rate for the city as a whole.

The pamphlet also reads, “Too many children receive poor education: 67% of the children in District 8 are below state standards." Williams is aware the city of Sacramento does not control the state of our schools.

Williams mentions on her profile she is the president of the NAACP, but she fails to mention the NAACP should have more of a role in addressing children receiving poor education if the residents are primarily people of color. Some could argue that Williams, NAACP president, has failed.

The concerning pamphlet I received today quotes Sabrina Berhane, Advisory Board Member, Crime Victims United of California, “Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell has failed you.”

I have never seen Berhane at a meeting addressing victims of crime in District 8. I have never seen her at a funeral of a murdered resident. I have never seen her at a candlelight vigil. I have never seen her at a community forum. I have never seen her at the court appearances I have attended in a community divided into victims and suspects.

Many do not believe Crime Victims United of California has united or embraced all crime victims but instead unites and embraces law enforcement unions.

The pamphlet states in large bold letters, “Bonnie Pannell cuts police, and you pay the price." Williams knows Pannell has not stood alone in the difficult budget sessions where cuts are given to many city departments, which had to include law enforcement.

“Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell voted to cut police protection in your neighborhood, even though your district has the worst crime area in Sacramento — and now she’s threatening even deeper cuts,” it says.

The pamphlet fails to list the voices of those in attendance at the council budget cuts or the reasons given by those who voted on the cuts. This misleading propaganda could sway and prevent future councilmembers from looking after our best interest to feed and fund Sacramento’s police officers union for endorsements.

Shame on Williams for being silent and allowing this propaganda and deceitful literature to go out to residents in District 8.

The Crime Victims United of California pamphlet fails to mention Pannell’s vote to put cameras in the district, even with objections from some of us, to aid as a crime deterrent, plus other efforts to reduce crime.

It fails to mention that under Pannell’s watch, the gang-infested apartment complex known as Danger Island was cleaned up. It fails to mention that under her watch, the gang-infested G Parkway area was cleaned up, and Phoenix Park residents were given resources and job training.

When two teens were murdered in District 8, Pannell insisted the area should have a highly visible police presence. She did not stay tucked away in a city office or ride around like Johnson with a police escort in a $50,000 SUV paid for by the city.

I stood watching a large crowd gather at the site where one teen’s body lay dead. I will never forget turning to see a small group of teens, in a psychologically frozen state, and near them stood Councilmember Pannell. She was standing at the site where another teen’s lay lifeless. There was no media present. She stood with tears in her eyes, asking, “How can we stop this?”

Shame on Berhane for failing to mention that Pannell has held forums, meeting with numerous youth to hear their voices, concerns and obstacles both when Fargo was in office and when Johnson sat silent.

Shame on Berhane for failing to mention Pannell’s efforts to provide resources and opportunities for the youth of the district versus an ignorant approach of simply saturating streets with law enforcement.

Under Pannell’s leadership, new parks, libraries, improved health facilities and developments of stores, pharmacies and markets were brought to District 8. She said no to closing community centers and pools to give District 8 kids a safe place to go after school and on weekends.

Pannell has worked with Johnson to address crime supporting the Street Outreach Team and Boston Ceasefire program. She has fought for additional grant money to help our at-risk youth.

Shame on Berhane, who does not live in our district, for appearing to use the body of our dead youth, the pain of a community divided to endorse candidates for District 8.

The Crime Victims United of California pamphlet fails to mention that Williams has stood in front of cameras with law enforcement as the police officer union monopolizes the city budget, whereas Pannell has stood in front of the affected youth and been exposed to the violence by listening to those in her district and surrounding districts.

I appreciate the fact that Pannell did not attempt to make Williams look bad in an effort to making herself look good. I appreciate the fact that Pannell ran a clean campaign, putting the district before her own aspirations of remaining in office.

Shame on Berhane for playing dirty politics over truth.

Shame on Johnson for endorsing Williams when he knows her labor and efforts. To endorse another candidate to simply gain an ally on the city council is shameful.

Shame on Johnson for making the state of this city and District 8 personal to fit his self-absorbed needs when it should be business. Public safety means keeping the public safe, not keeping your political career safe.

The answer to the riddle mentioned at the beginning of the article is simple if we look beneath the surface and around the propaganda. The driver of the car missed the dog because it was daylight.

Some of us won't look below the surface of propaganda to see the obvious in the District 8 race. Campaigns should not be conducted like riddles. We should not have to look at what is not written and read misleading information.

Shame on Mayor Johnson for not insisting that we, the residents of Sacramento, deserve truth and transparency during the election process.

The riddle fails to mention the time of day or the fact it was daylight but draws us in with catch words and phrases. Sadly, we also have to look at what is not written in the literature opposing Pannell and the catch phrases of crime, school and unemployment.

Shame on Williams, Johnson and Crime Victims United for underestimating and insulting our intelligence.

What happened to all the election signs saying “Sacramento Police Endorse…”? Why are there no law enforcement endorsement signs in my neighborhood? The answer: The people have begun to ask for resources, opportunities and prevention versus suppression.

The climate has changed toward addressing youth and gang violence. Grant funding is swaying toward prevention rather than suppression. So now Crime Victims United of California is endorsing propaganda in our district.

Shame on campaign managers who stopped putting police endorsement signs in a neighborhood where crime exists and brought us Crime Victims United of California sending misleading mailers.

People in my district and throughout this city have suffered, died, lost freedom as a result of a lack of resources, while law enforcement union monopolize and strong arm the city budget. Programs which could aid in saving lives are continously cut to feed SPOA.

Who should we complain to as we become commodities?

Certainly we cannot complain to the NAACP since the president appears to allow and condone this deceitful behavior to get into public office.

Some within District 8 may be tricked into only catching the trick phrases within the riddle such as black street, black car with no lights on, black house and black dog, crime, unemployment and schools.

Some of us won't look below the surface of the District 8 race for office due to frustration over crime and pain. But the truth is law enforcement is a deterrent, not a solution.

Councilmember Pannell respects and supports law enforcement. I may not have always agreed with her votes in favor of law enforcement, but I respect the fact she is true to form and will not sell out one for the other.

This community member, a mother, who has interviewed numerous, in fact countless, community members, also in pain, who are exposed to and affected by crime in Valley Hi, Meadowview, and other council districts, endorses Councilmember Bonnie Pannell.

When running for office in District 8, do not give us any propaganda literature. We are not in the dark. We have residents engaged in community projects, dialog and council hearings.

It appears Candidate Williams is riding in the backseat with SPOA as Mayor Johnson swerves in the dark in his tinted-window, city-paid $50,000 SUV, trying to hit residents of District 8 with misleading information.

Kudos to Councilmember Bonnie Pannell for driving in the daylight. I appreciate you running a positive and truthful campaign. You have my vote!

Disclosure: I have attended numerous Townhall, community, city forums given by NAACP President Williams, Councilmember Pannell and Mayor Johnson. I appreicate the efforts of all but above all I appreciate and respect the truth. It is not personal; it is business

Thumbs down to the city of Sacramento

2012-03-28T09:42:45Z

Today I was given the middle finger and told “F**k you” by the City of Sacramento!

I awoke thinking it is going to be a good day. I headed out the door to work at 6:30am.

Some people are fortunate and wake up with a simple Things to Do list. I am not as fortunate. I am from the low income community and we often wake up with a Struggles to Endure, Battles to Fight List hopes to endure another day list.

Recently I have gone to various government offices and watched some within the city, county and state offices treat many low income residents as if they were voiceless, powerless and not worthy of being treated with respect.

I am low income. I believe whenever we have concerns we should also have a voice. When we have a voice we can disarm aggression - remain in the spirit of love- and arm ourselves with power.

With all the struggles I face on a daily basis I have to have a voice to disarm the mounting pain which can cause aggression. When my son was sentenced to prison his county/ state funded court appointed attorney looked me in the eyes and actually said, “F**k you”.

I am not privileged. I am in a community divided into victims and suspects, aggression, pain and anger surrounds me. I am trying to raise a son who will live in this city and I do it mourning the deaths of so many others that I love.

Too many of our children are dying prematurely. Too many of us are drowning, suffocating without a voice. I refuse to die in pain and let my struggles be buried with me.

I am trying to raise my son to know freedom and not live or die in a California prison.

I am teaching my son the pen is mightier than the sword. I am teaching him he is entitled and worthy of respect. I am teaching my son there is power in having a voice.

With all the struggles I face throughout the day, being a low income resident, I will not start my day being told “F**k You” by a City Employee.

When you are a city, county, state employee what you do on your own time in your own vehicle is your business. When you are in a city, county, state office or vehicle you no longer simply represent yourself --you represent the city or county of Sacramento.

This morning I attempted to enter the right lane to merge onto the freeway. I put my blinker on and when it was safe I attempted to merge into the right lane.

Suddenly I noticed a white city truck speeding up in an attempt to not let me in front of him. I couldn’t believe the driver would deliberately make me miss the freeway entrance because he did not have the courtesy to allow me to merge onto the lane.

The city truck sped up in efforts to prevent me from merging onto the freeway. Fortunately the driver behind the city truck allow me to enter the lane.

As I drove onto the freeway I entered into the left lane. I noticed the white city truck was in the right lane with several cars in front of him. We waited for one car to merge onto the freeway per green light.

My turn arrived and now this time I am in front of the white city truck. The driver sped up close to the back of my car. As we entered Interstate 5 he raced on the side of me. I looked over and this man, appearing filled with anger, rage, leaned toward his passenger window threw his arm towards my direction with his middle finger pointed at me stating ‘F**k You”

What the driver of the truck didn’t know is that I was not going to yell and cuss back at him. I have too many battles to fight, too many struggles to endure, bigger fish to fry, too much heartbreak. I was not going to throw my middle finger back at him or yell ‘F**k you”

I simply reached over to my purse and grabbed my camera. After witnessing so much from so many government workers I now carry my camera wherever I go. For me, “The pen (accompanied by photographs) is mightier than the sword”

I have respect for many city officials, departments, events, services and employees. And I do not believe we, as city residents have to tolerate disrespect by city, county, state government employees while they are representing the government office.

If he was in his own vehicle and raced up close to me, flipped me off and said “F**k you” I would not write this opinion.

The aggressive and angry man was in a City truck therefore he represented the City of Sacramento. And I will not be flipped off and told “Fu*k you” by the city of Sacramento.

Thumbs down to the City of Sacramento.

Dr. King's dream and march, our nightmare and pain

2012-01-13T04:56:13Z

Dr. King’s dream and march, our nightmare and pain

“I feel so broken hearted, I cried so many tears
There was so much you gave me, to my heart, to my soul
So much of your dreams that were never told
There was hope for a brighter day
Why were you, my flower, plucked away
Oh, oh, I’m missing you
Tell me why the road turns
I’m missing you”
—Diana Ross

I miss my son. I miss hugging him. I miss looking in his eyes when he is excited. I miss us discussing his plans for his future. I miss sharing in his everyday experiences. I miss his smile. I miss his joy.

All I ever wanted was for him to be in an environment where he can grow.

My son was arrested at 19 years of age. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison, more years in prison than he was alive. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/mothers-prayer/content?oid=309130

My son was sentenced under California's 10-20-life law. For two years he continuously rejected a plea and maintained his innocence. After being denied a fair trial and fair legal representation, he felt forced into taking two years for allegedly robbing someone for marijuana and 20 years for allegedly discharging a firearm.

Due to the time he received, not the crime itself, he is housed as a level-four prisoner with prisoners who have life- and life-without-parole sentences. With the 10-20-life law, you do not have to commit a murder or cause great bodily injury to receive life in prison.

Sentencing a youth under California's 10-20-life law can be a death sentence when youth are housed not due to the crime but due to the prison sentencing time.

The youth incarcerated are not just losing freedom; many will lose their parents, siblings, spouse, girlfriend, children and their hope of a future outside of prison walls. For an inmate to live in a prison where many are sentenced to spend their entire life behind those walls is a great challenge in itself.

Sacramento courts have sentenced teens, as young as 14 years of age, to prison terms of life without the possibility of parole.

The outrageous misconduct within the investigation leading to my son’s arrest, as well as the outrageous misconduct through the court process, is all documented on appeal. It is only due to the pending appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court that I will not, at this time, discuss the particulars of the case and the circumstances leading to the misconduct.

For two years we fought in Sacramento Superior Court for a fair trial. When it became obvious he was not receiving a fair trial nor fair legal representation, we wrote letters to the trial court and the Sacramento Superior Court presiding judge.

Within the letters we continuously pleaded for his constitutional rights of a fair trial with fair legal representation.

We wrote letters to the California Bar Association, American Bar Association and to various local and statewide civil rights organizations.

At my son’s request, I went to our state capitol and cried, pleading for assistance from our senator and our assemblyman’s office. I left and painfully cried all the way to my councilmember’s office. None could assist us in our quest for a fair trial and fair legal representation.

I went to the NAACP. While they tried to assist by attending court, we were still not given a fair trial and the court denied our motion to have the attorney removed from the case. I went to anyone who would listen and begged, cried, pleaded for assistance in obtaining a fair trial.

I wrote letters throughout the state of California and wrote letters to organizations in other states. I went to so many, pleading for assistance to help my son get a fair trial, heck reward or penalty, with fair legal representation.

Our pleas were denied. The court would not acknowledge our concerns and failed to hold an evidentiary hearing. When I was brought into the courtroom and told to tell my son to take the plea deal or he would do life in prison, my son, under great duress, involuntarily and without understanding the consequences of the plea felt forced into taking the plea.

My son was coerced into pleading, denied fair legal representation and a fair trial and tried to protect his mother from further pain.

We were not alleging after the fact, once sentenced, that he was being denied his constitutional right to a fair trial and fair legal representation. We made those founded truthful accusations prior to the trial that ended in mistrial, and we continued begging for his constitutional rights during the start of the second trial.

We sent letters certified mail to the court to ensure they were being received. We have response letters showing the presiding judge, American Bar Association and California Bar Association all received the letters, and each responded they could not assist us.

The response letters are dated prior to my son taking the coerced, involuntary plea made under duress.

Four years later, we are still fighting in appeal courts. Our appeals have been denied, each without an evidentiary hearing, and we continue up the writ of habeas corpus ladder put into existence by our freedom-minded forefathers who valued the criminal justice system and the rights of the accused exposed to it.

It is extremely painful with each appeal court process. We have no money to afford an attorney. We have no legal skills to argue against skillful attorneys. We fight with the truth and a $50 book explaining the Great Writ and U.S. constitutional rights which should not be violated.

While it appears some of our Sacramento courts may have been hijacked by pirates posing as prosecutors, and some within the judicial process are more concerned with personal vendettas or winning cases, by any means necessary I still have faith in the Constitution of the United States of America because In God We Trust.

It is painful. It is time consuming. It is difficult. It is exhausting, but it is what it is, a fight we must endure to have an opportunity of life and freedom outside of our overcrowded, dangerous prison walls.

Sadly, once my son is released from prison it will be painful, difficult, time consuming and exhausting to ensure life within our neglectful, lack-of-opportunity, lack-of-employment, lack-of-resources-for-our-youth city since our politically ego-driven elected officials value endorsements from unions to advance their careers.

Sadly, some politically ego-driven elected officials would rather ensure that police union departments are enhanced rather than ensure that the residents of the city are provided with resources.

On June 30, 2005, during an NAACP Police Brutality town hall meeting, former Police Chief Albert Nájera defensively and accurately stated, "A black young man between the age of 16 and 25 has a 50 percent chance to die in the city of Sacramento, and he is dying at the hands of another black young man."

I was at the meeting to discuss our city youth violence and deaths. I wondered the same thing the police chief did: Why were we gathering for a police brutality case and failed to gather for the hundreds of youth who have died in this city at an alarming rate at the hands of another?

I wondered why we were not meeting with the city and county of Sacramento insisting on jobs, resources and opportunities for our youth?

Our black youth were losing life and freedom, and our civil rights leaders solely focused on prejudice- or police-related issues. The police chief’s aforementioned statistic about black youth nor their 92 percent arrest rate was not mentioned by the media, nor the organizations holding the meeting.There was no focus on the loss of life, nor the loss of freedom.

Some of our children are faced with the plight of two options either dying on Sacramento streets or dying in a California state prison.

The mounting deaths and arrests due to youth violence were dismissed. The loss of life and loss of freedom of Sacramento's low income youth was dismissed; until grant-funding became available.

Civil Rights Groups, concerned over police interaction within the low income community, held townhall meetings to discuss Sacramento Police Racial Profiling and Sacramento Police Brutality cases.

Grant dollars, for youth and gang violence prevention, suddenly becomes available and Sacramento law enforcement jumps on the youth and gang violence prevention funding bandwagon. The same Civil Rights Groups concerned with Police Racial Profiling and Police Brutality decide to apply for grants to work with law enforcement for youth and gang violence prevention.

The low-income community affected and exposed to the violence living in communities divided into victims and suspects were not seen until grant-funding became available. Were they looking at the low income community affected and exposed to the violence? Or were they looking at money?

This past week, my son was beaten, physically assaulted on the prison yard. He could have fallen asleep and not woken up due to head injuries. By the Grace of God, my son’s life has yet again been spared. He was placed in the hole. His life is in danger if he steps foot back on that particular prison yard.

His prison counselor stated, “It is the safest place for him.”

Can you believe it? Can you imagine the pain of knowing the safest place for your child is in the hole in a prison? No windows, no TV, no outside contact, no contact, visits from his mother, sibling or girlfriend?

Can you imagine living in America, the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, my country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty of thee I sing, where I pledge allegiance to our flag, in so much pain fighting for life and freedom and the Pursuit of Happiness?

When I march in the annual Martin Luther King Parade, I don’t march to sing and dance of the triumphs of yesterday. I have genuine, deep-rooted horrible never-ending pain.

Can you imagine fighting for your child to live in this city and immediately thereafter fighting for him to know freedom? Then have to fight the appeal courts for the truth to be seen? Then with all your heart, have to find a way to keep him alive in prison?

Imagine being a mother having to cry and beg for a prison in the state of California to do what the city of Sacramento failed to do: protect my son

That suffering is the plight of many of us who live in communities divided into victims and suspects, where our children have become commodities to enhance departments and advance political careers.

In God we trust, since the money the motto is written on appears to be valued more than many of low-income, disadvantaged citizens. And many are looking at money, grants, enhancing departments through crime and not looking at those of us affected and exposed to the violence.

I march out of pain for the plight many of us are experiencing today. I also march out of my own personal pain. I don’t think I am disrespecting Dr. King by writing this, since Dr. King did not march singing and dancing for the triumph of the end of slavery.

Dr. King did not march for the past. He marched for his present-day crisis and to provide a better future for many of us. Dr. King did not look backward. He looked to the present and hoped for a better future.

Those of us with current-day suffering from the death or arrest of our youth are expected to march in the annual parade walking on a treadmill of the past.

I realize the definition of insanity is to continuously do the same thing over and over and expect different results. But what else do we have? I do plan on attending the MLK march.

But with all due respect, for some of us to sing and dance once a year is not what I believe Dr. King would have wanted us to honor. I am a mother in pain 365 days a year.

I will walk surrounded and suffocating with pain. In fact, it will be pain moving my feet. I have nothing left to carry me. While addressing youth violence, I gave this city everything I have. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/death-be-not-shrouded/content?oid=47273 Unwillingly, I even gave my first born son.

There are days when my pain is so deep I don’t have a will to live. There are days I don’t want to wake up. There are days when I am afraid of living in this world gone mad and afraid of dying wondering who will protect my children that I brought into this world.

There are nights when I am afraid of falling asleep due to the nightmares I have still hearing the sounds of gunshots outside my home, leaving shell casings that would have blown tremendous holes throughout my son’s body.

There are nights I am afraid of going to sleep because I am afraid of waking up to this nightmare I am living.

But I have to awake. Who else will fight the writ of habeas corpus ladder of a low-income mother for her son to know what was rightfully his: freedom?

To march with a hollow lack of substance in tribute to a man of great substance, to me, is disrespectful.

I will be in the crowd, but instead of carrying a poster of Dr. King I will carry one of me and my son. Our pain is real, it is today, it is now, and it appears it will be forever if some are just going to live in the past and dismiss the present-day plight that has left so many of us broken, suffering to live and die in pain.

I appreciate honor and respect Dr. King for having a dream, but while many are reminiscing on his dream, many of us are living a nightmare.

Instead of gathering at the end of the event to speak of history, why can’t we gather to find solutions and make history and change the current state of affairs where too many are losing their lives and losing freedom?

I tried to protect my son when youths armed with guns were shooting at him in my front yard. We wrestled trying to protect one another. I was praying the next bullet would take my life and not that of my son.

I tried to protect my son when he was suffocating in an unjust court.

This city has left both my son and I nearly breathless on more than one occasion. We, and so many others, are suffocating in the city of Sacramento. I don’t believe Dr. King was ego-driven.

I believe Dr. King would have wanted us to acknowledge the current plight where thousands of youth bodies lay prematurely dead on American streets and thousands more are living and dying in California prisons.

I think Dr. King would have been more concerned with our plight than concerned with us paying tribute to him.

I knew when civil rights organizations addressed Jenna Six, the plight of many of us would be overlooked due to the fact our plight is not prejudice-related.

I knew some leaders in America would focus on prejudice versus freedom. But should prejudice overshadow life and freedom in America, a country dedicated to looking into the life and freedom of citizens of other countries?

While it appears this low-income mother’s plight, the plight of my son, is dismissed by today’s civil rights organizations, I do feel Dr. King would have embraced us, supported us and acknowledged us.

I do not believe Dr. King would have expected us to pay homage to him when we are in fact suffering from the great pain of losing our children to death on our streets or to be the walking dead in one of California's many prisons.

With and through pain I will march on Jan. 16, but I will be the one carrying a poster of my son and not one of Dr. King. And, to be honest, I think Dr King would have wanted it that way.

I hope many others join in carrying a poster of their loved ones, whether they have been murdered in the city of Sacramento or sentenced to be the walking dead in one of California’s many for-profit prisons housing the low-income youth of America.

After all, Dr. King was not singing and dancing of yesterday’s struggles and triumphs. Dr. King was justice-driven, equality-driven, looking and laboring for the end result of change. Dr. King acknowledged, saw and labored for the low-income, the voiceless, the powerless.

Dr. King understood America’s motto of Life , Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for all.

I am not walking for the civil rights of yesterday. I walk for the human rights of today.

I did not bring a child into this money-, political ego-driven world for his body to lay dead on a Sacramento street, gutter, sidewalk or home, nor did I bring him into this world to live or die in a California state prison

We, America's low income citizens living in communities divided into victims and suspects, can not raise our children from the dead. Nor can many of us afford to visit or receive telephone calls from our children being raised in a California State Prison.

We, the low income community divided into victims and suspects, are missing our children.

Disclosure: Mother of three. I've taken my younger son to two funerals of murdered friends. I am fighting for him to have life. I have attended many funerals of my older sons friends and I am fighting for him to know freedom. (Photo 4) I love my children

A Mother's Cry

2011-11-01T04:17:05Z

The phone rings a woman cries out. “Rhonda, is your son okay? I heard he was robbed at gunpoint. Was he shot?"

"My son is on his way home from school. It must be someone else." I replied. I hung up the phone and I called the cell phone my sister had bought my son for Christmas.

A voice I did not recognize answered. I asked, “Who is this?" I demanded, "Put my son on the phone."

The person responded, "You're son is dead" and then they hung up. I called back crying, "Please put my son on the phone." They replied, "He's dead."

I ran to the car with no idea of where I was going. I decided to drive the route my son would have walked home from school.

I was praying "Please God let me find my son. Please don't let me find a corpse covered in a tarp. Please let him be okay. Please God. Please"

Tears were streaming down my face. I could not breathe. I feared my son was laying somewhere also unable to breathe.

I could hardly see where I was driving so many tears were streaming down my face.

I was determined to find my son and then find the people who were answering his phone.

I had called 911 as I was leaving my home. I cried, "My son has been robbed. I think the people responsible are answering his phone. I think they shot him"

I could give no further information. I was told an officer would be dispatched to the area.

Several phone calls later I was given a phone number for an officer in the area.

I cried, “Please call my sons cell phone. The people responsible are answering his phone."

I was asked, "Mam, does your son sell drugs? Usually when people are robbed in the area they sell drugs."

I cried and questioned, "Are you telling me my son is a suspect for a crime, of selling drugs, that has not occurred verses the victim of a crime, a robbery, that has occurred?

Again, I begged, "Please call his cell phone." I was told, "Mam this is not CSI..."

It was at that point I realized if I was going to find my son I was going to do it alone. And I drove and drove, afraid of finding a corpse covered in a tarp and afraid of not finding my son.

My son, then 16yrs old and his 15yr old classmate were robbed of their jackets, phone and wallet as they walked home from school. The boy with my son turned over his items quickly and my son hesitated.

I had put his leather jacket on layaway for Christmas. It was the first day back to school from Winter Break. Because he hesitated, the robbers were going to take his life.

"Oh, he think he's tough. We got something for you" one robber replied.

The boy who had been walking with my son said he heard a gun go off and he ran afraid to look back. He said my son did not want to give them his jacket.

To think my son could have, ignorantly, lost his life for a jacket I put on layaway for three months was overwhelmingly difficult.

By the Grace of God, when the youth put the gun to my sons head and pulled the trigger the gun jammed. At that point my son ran, for his life, in the opposite direction.

Their was a gunshot but it missed my son.

My son ran and ran and ran until he found someone who would open their door and let him use the phone. Finally I had heard from my son. I picked him up, picked up his 15yr-old friend we met with officers to report the robbery.

I share this story, which is only one of several painful events in our lives in the City of Sacramento, for several reasons which include:

when I later write of what concerns (the tricks) with the Mayor's forum I want people to understand where I am coming from-- the pain that drives me to want to see significant efforts.
because this is the incident which woke me up and I began addressing youth violence crying out for the city to see our youths as more than suspects but as victims of crime as well.

When I attend forums addressing youth violence I take this and other pain with me. The pain never leaves me. I will never forget the painful memories I have in attempting to keep my son alive.

Equally important I will never forget the painful memories I have as I attempted to ensure my son knows freedom through a corrupt Sacramento court.

When I attend youth violence meetings I look for what is on the surface and I also look at what is not being told.

Unfortunately some are more concerned with losing funding or gaining funding than concerned with being completely truthful in their statistics.

I stayed on my knees in prayer. But I did not just pray. Faith without works is dead. So I also labored to address youth violence.

After my son was robbed of his jacket, cell phone and $5.00. He was robbed of a bike he was riding. I went to my church and asked if I could hold a town hall meeting to address youth violence.

The forum was 'Saving the Lives of All Youth" I felt it was important that we reach out to all youth. I knew if we just reach out to one ethnic group our children would still die.

In 2005, many Sacramento City and County leaders were focused on Hmong, Mien and Lao youth violence.

But the painful fact was the youth that robbed my son of his leather jacket were not Black, Hmong, Mien, Lao, Caucasian or Latino. I knew we had to reach all youth.

I also knew Tongan, Filipino, Russian, Pacific Islander, East Indian… youth were also dying and being arrested as a result of youth violence.

I went to my council member and without knowing me, she gave me her full support. Three articles were written by SacBee Diana Grego Erwin and community members from all walks of life responded.

I knew then addressing youth violence was something an entire community was prepared to do. I asked for parents, families of victims, schools, churches, community organizations, law enforcement, city and county elected officials to come together to save the lives of all our youth.

From our March 2005 meeting, then Sac City Superintendent Roy Grimes held an impressive forum at Hiram Johnson in April 2005. It was then I first publicly spoke sharing the story of my son robbed at gunpoint.

2005 Sacramento City School Superintendent Roy Grimes forum was impressive, consisting of Parents, Community leaders, Law enforcement, Non Profits and Educators.

A year or so later, and once money became available, an organizing committee came together and held another forum at Hiram Johnson. I was a speaker sharing the tragic stories of Sacramento youth homicide victims. The forum also brought together additional non profit organizations.

I have probably been to more meetings than I've been alive. I'm no spring chicken. There is so much I have seen from some that address youth violence that concerns me. There are also efforts which impress me.

But more often than not each time I attended a forum addressing youth violence I left in more pain than before and more often than not I cried harder than I cried before.

The March 2005 community meeting, “Saving the Lives of All Our Youth” included myself, Parents of victims, Two Council members (District Director's), Two County Supervisor (Chief of Staff) several Church Pastors, Community activist/ law enforcement, California Department of Correction workers, city, county, state, private industry workers, School Board members from several districts, Sac City Superintendent and several non profit organizations.

I share the above because it is important to know the collaborative effort our Mayor’s Plan consists of has been done before.

However the mayor’s forum is impressive as I will discuss in Part Two, Mayor’s Strategic Plan for Gang Prevention; Tricks and Treats.

Six years and Six months of addressing youth violence I sat in the October 31st "Mayor's Strategic Plan for Gang Prevention" meeting asking myself, 'Have we walked on a treadmill?"

The Answer is No. We have to crawl before we can walk. As someone once said, 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with it's first steps."

I seen people at the October 31st forum who have been walking to address youth violence since 2005, some prior to 2005 and yes, some who began walking once gang prevention funding became available.

I will be honest and I did not expect it. The Mayor's forum was a treat. Mayor Johnson was impressive. The Strategic Plan is impressive. As always, Khaalid Muttaqi, is impressive.

Yes, their were some tricks given by some presenters in efforts to make their programs shine. But today I wanted to share my experience in hopes you will see some of our pain and understand why we deserve real solutions.

Tomorrow I hope to share the October 31, 2011 Tricks and Treats of Sacramento Mayor's Strategic Plan for Gang Prevention putting a spotlight on some of the deception in hopes we move forward in truth to gain effective solutions.

All in all today was a good day. Kudo's Mayor Johnson, City of Sacramento, and all of those addressing youth violence prevention.

I don’t attend youth violence meetings to make friends. I don’t attend to make money. I attend with pain both personal and the pain I have learned of all the families who have lost their youth to death or incarceration. It is a burden to carry so much pain.

It is overwhelming when the truth is overshadowed by trickery to gain, compete or keep funding.

When I attend youth violence meetings I look at everyone and everything both the spoken words and the unspoken. I look for truth.

I left the forum with less pain than I arrived. I left the forum without one tear and for me that too is impressive.

Kudo's Mayor Johnson, this mother is crying less but you still have work to do. It is a Job well begun

Open Letter To Mayor Johnson

2011-09-15T22:27:15Z

An Open Letter to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson

In Regards to you being "thrilled to announce - after much deliberation, prayer, conversation and discussion…” you are running for re-election:

Mayor Johnson, many Sacramento residents are not so thrilled with your announcement. In fact, for many of us your announcement and words therein adds insult to injury.

Mayor Johnson prayer is something many of us know so very well. Falling on our knees in pain we know all too well. Crying to the heavens for a change we know all too well. Screaming out in the middle of the night for comfort we know all too well.

Sleepless nights concerned for the welfare of our teens to walk, ride in or play in the streets of Sacramento we know all too well.

Not wanting to wake up afraid of the pain tomorrow will bring we know all too well.

Mayor Johnson, our pain grew, often overwhelming so, since you have been in office. Sometimes we felt suffocated by your disregard for the life and freedom of many of our youth.

Many of us have prayed harder, cried more, suffered enormously since you have been in office, for the lives and freedom of Sacramento area youth.

You have failed to have a genuine discussion or conversation with many of us towards youth violence unless it was in a deceitful atmosphere or an agenda where you or someone, you sought an endorsement from, would benefit.

Many Sacramento area families are sitting divided in the community and in courts by victims and suspects.

Many Sacramento area residents are divided between jails, prisons, morgues, memorials, cemeteries, vigils, funerals, and many more were having car washes to bury their murdered child as you were given private security to go throughout our city.

I sincerely believe you will work harder than anyone to earn “votes”. But I sincerely doubt you will work harder to guarantee a better quality of life for those of us you have ignored, dismissed and not valued during your first tenure in office.

In regards to your listening sessions, I attended a session and I was not impressed. You did not appear to be listening. Your assistants appeared to be working the crowd. It appeared a session for us to see you not for you to see, feel, acknowledge, and reach out to many of us living in Sacramento in great pain.

Are you looking for the vote of the mother, fighting a corrupt Sacramento court, who has labored in pain for nearly four years trying to get an appeal as her son was sentenced to more years in prison than he has been alive?

Are you looking for the vote of the mother who gave birth to two sons and visits them both at cemeteries?

Are you looking for the vote of the mother- after so many Sacramento area youth deaths have been dismissed by you - that is physically sick and afraid everytime her teens leave her home?

Are you looking for the vote of the young adult who stands eyes swollen in pain after attending more than twenty funerals of classmates, friends and relatives? He attended more funerals than he has been alive.

Are you looking for the vote of the father whose last visit to see his son was in the morgue? His last vision of his son was seeing bullets throughout his body, bullets even on his groin.

Are you looking for the vote of the mother who found her son dead in the bathtub? Are you looking for the vote of the mother who found her son dead on the front lawn? Are you looking for the vote of the mother who woke up to hear gunshots and found her son dying in his younger brothers arms?

Are you looking for the vote of the mother who told her son to come straight home from school. He walked out her door and was shot and killed on the way to school? When she saw her son again he was dead. His lifeless body on a Sacramento city street near his home?

Are you looking for the vote of the sister who wrote on the sidewalk in front of her home, 'Here lays my two brothers, shot and killed in front of my house. They with God now, Rest in Peace"

Are you looking for the vote of the mother who cried, 'I need this funeral to go as quickly as possible. I just burried his brother."

Are you looking for the vote of the mother who cried, "Please don't make me go (to the funeral) Please don't make me see my son covered in dirt?

Are you looking for the vote of the sister whose brother layed in her arms in an Oak Park gutter whispering, "Please don't leave me" and he took his last breath and left her?

Are you looking for the vote of those voting youth who are now blind, or in wheelchairs and / or limbs amputated due to gun shot wounds?

Mayor Johnson you should be careful what you ask for. Do you really want feedback from all within the community?

When you first ran for office- against former Mayor Heather Fargo- you made sure- throughout your campaign- to continuously include Sacramento was rank 5th for violent crime. You failed to mention, in your campaign for re-election thriller, since your tenure as Mayor of Sacramento we are now ranked 3rd for violent crime.

During your first tenure in office as mayor you appeared concerned with only two Sacramento homicides. 1) During Second Saturdays when the death of one of our Sacramento area youth could affect businesses (since the Second Saturday event draws in thousands of possible votes) and 2) When a woman was shot and killed while taking her young son to the barbershop. By the way you dismissed the death of the 20yr old teen also shot and killed outside the barbershop.

Bullets are sprayed in broad daylight on a busy street where lots of innocent bystanders are running for protection on more than one occasion during your first tenure in office.

It appears you continuously looked at second-term votes from businesses and the endorsement of Sacramento Police Officers Association. It appears you continuously failed to look at the first term people –hundreds of Sacramento area residents in great pain- affected and exposed to the violence existing in Sacramento.

Many of us will not fall for your propaganda when introducing your second term plan.

We never saw a first term plan to ensure freedom and life to many Sacramento area youth. But in your frequent not so transparent manner we saw you attempt to secure budgets and money for unions on the pretense of addressing crime.

Mayor Johnson, I agree young people are the most valuable asset in the community. They also appear to be the most valuable asset in the state of California since many have become job security and commodities for the Prison Industry complex.

Mayor Johnson how dare you state, “Young people have a sense of possibility”. Since your tenure in office so many more young people in Sacramento do not even have hope for a future.

So many youth in Sacramento don’t believe they are going to live to be middle age. Many middle age residents do not believe they can live, with the pain of losing their child, to reach an old age.

So many more, since your tenure in office, are headed to be the walking dead in a California prison.

Mayor Johnson you have a twelve year old city resident that was charged with home invasion robbery. You have twelve teens ranging in ages thirteen - nineteen years old arrested and charged with one homicide.

You have eight teens arrested and charged with another homicide. The list of youth arrests grew since your tenure in office. You have Sacramento teens facing life without the possibility of parole.

Yes, the kids can be considered our future. But are you looking unselfishly to ensure the kids a future or are you selfishly looking to ensure yourself a political career?

During your first term in office the future of many Sacramento, kids, teens, youth, young adults have been gloomy, bleak, and hopeless.

Mayor Johnson do you realize, the seven year old, eight year old, nine year old...poster child for education that you appear concerned with might have a fourteen year old, fifteen year oldm, sixteen year old sibling dead or locked in prison. It’s difficult to study when they go to bed at night and cry, pray, long to long to see their loved sibling.

Can you imagine trying to focus on school when you watch your mother, father, grandmother… suddenly painfully enter a psychological frozen state missing their murdered or walking dead (inmate) sibling?

How do you expect many to focus in school when they are too often focusing on the death- you will ignore- of someone they love?

As I reflect back on your first term – and the not so transparent agenda’s- I am afraid to look towards the future with you still in office. Of course there is still much work to be done, considering you failed to sincerely, effectively, significantly address youth violence.

But will you do the work which needs to be done if it will not promote your political career?

Mayor Johnson, some community members may have cheered and celebrated the news of you running for re-election. But many more of us are not cheering. Many of us are not celebrating your announcement.

During your first term in office you failed to show us that you care about the quality of life of many Sacramento residents. You showed us – in a not so transparent way- that you are a politician looking after your political growth through endorsements.

You showed us life and freedom is not valued while you climb the political ladder. You showed us you would allow a community affected and exposed to crime - and in great pain- to become a commodity for your political growth.

I do not agree with Empress Nontsikelelo. You are neither a change agent nor a leader with a vision.

I don’t think you invested four years, a year, a month or a day in office to help Sacramento move forward in taking steps towards healing from the mounting pain of death and arrest of area youth. In fact many of us believe you invested more time in self promotion to climb the political ladder.

Nor, Mayor Johnson is it impressive that Bishop Carthen, Jimmie Yee (who fails to see the mounting deaths of county youth in his district), Betty Williams, Patrick Mulvaney, Mark Otereo, Bret Meyer and Melinda Guzman spoke in support or endorse you. Was it support or hopes of one hand washes the other?

Betty Williams, President of the NAACP, may feel you are one who listens to the community. But many of us in the community feel you listen to, prey on, give favors for endorsements.

The President of the NAACP, statement of, “He hears them when they come to the City Council”, is far from accurate. I (and others) have stood before you countless times crying, in pain, feeling like our hearts would explode. Not only did you not comment, not hear us, but you appeared to be looking around the room for your second-term endorsement.

Apparently the NAACP President was not at the many counsel sessions-- that did not involve possible funding or youth sales tax being offered for organizations-- where people with no hidden agenda filled with pain were being ignored and dismissed by the Mayor.

Mayor Johnson, you're not looking at the mother exploding in pain, the father lost in pain, the sibling frozen in pain, or to help the people affected by the crime. You are, as always, looking at organizations and unions to endorse your campaign. Sadly and equally concerning it appears, some organizations are not looking at all the people.

Yes, Mayor Johnson you may outwork everybody to get in office for a second term. But in addressing youth violence you will not outwork anyone- and you will overlook many of us affected and exposed to the violence and pain associated.

Mayor Johnson while you are out campaigning, meeting with organizations, unions and different community groups offering favors in attempts to gain endorsements and votes--Please try and remember they do not speak for and apparently do not represent all of us.

In conclusion, Mayor Johnson your vision is selective so I guess many of my people will perish (ordinary residents who can’t give endorsements, money, or a title to offer you for your second-term campaign)

Many Sacramento teens are dying on Sacramento streets and many more are leaving Sacramento to become the walking dead in a California state prison. Mayor Johnson, your announcement for a second-term in office adds insult to injury

Rhonda Erwin
Mother and Sacramento City Resident

The Pied Piper of Sacramento City Hall

2011-05-18T06:33:39Z

May 17th 2011 I left work early to head to city hall. As I entered the building I was surprised to see so many community members dressed in blue shirts with the initials SPOA and a photo of a badge printed on the front of the shirts.

Many held signs which read, “Protect Sacramento.”

As I sat in the session and listened to the presentation given by Sacramento Police Chief Braziel I was alarmed, concerned and to be honest extremely disappointed.

As I listened too many of the speakers my heart began to ache. I began to pray. I became overwhelmed with sorrow.

Suddenly city hall transformed into a 16th century fairy tale-- The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Or better yet, the Pied Piper of Sacramento City Hall.

Do you remember the fairytale? It was suppose to reflect a historical event where Hamelin lost it‘s children.

Do you see the similarities? Sacramento is also losing many of its children to death on our streets or to become the walking dead in California prisons.

I looked over at a member of Sacramento Police Officers Association and I saw a pied piper leading the children away from the town never to return. As speakers left the podium he would nod in approval. As new members came in he would node in approval.

I listened to the presentation given by our Police Chief and many speakers and I closed my eyes and I again saw a piper hired by the town to lure rats (crime) away with his magic pipe (department).

The piper attempted to overshadow other city departments, resources and opportunities for our youth which could prevent crime. The city budget is in deficit and many departments will be cut but hundreds came today for the job security of one department.

Since it appeared the citizenry refused to pay more for this service, the piper appeared to retaliate by turning on his magic “Protect Sacramento” musical campaign.

The Pied Piper, leading hundreds to attend the counsel session, appeared to hypnotize the counsel with his magical presentation.

Is it strange this fairytale came to mind? No. Considering the Pied Piper is a symbol of the children's death by plague or catastrophe.

Our children are dying on our streets. Our children are becoming the walking dead.

A plague of youth violence surrounds many in this city and to cut programs for our youth and the cuts to Parks and Recreations would cause more to die and become the walking dead. But the Pied Piper appears only concerned with the growth of his department.

A catastrophe where money and departments are valued more than life and freedom surrounds this city.

Many held signs of “Protect Sacramento“. But they appeared to be protecting co-workers.

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when 19yr old Jai Body laid bleeding in a Sacramento gutter? His sister held him as he cried “Please don’t leave me” and he left her, taking his last breath, dying in her arms? His blood filled her shirt.

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign with a mother whose 17yr old son was shot and killed? She walked to the school where he took his last breath and put up a fenced memorial and laid within it for days crying for her son to return?

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when a mother was tied up with her younger children? She tried with all her might to protect her 18yr old son. He was shot in the head as his mother and younger siblings cried helplessly.

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when a mother went to her son’s apartment to find him laying in the bathtub where blood covered his body?

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when a mother cried, ’Please don’t make me go. Please don’t make me see my son covered in dirt. She was carried to his grave site to say goodbye to a child who died 17yrs young in the city of Sacramento.

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when a mother sat in a funeral suddenly left her chair as if walking on air tears filling her face softly speaking, “Please, let this go as quickly as possible, I just buried his brother”

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign when a mother opened her door and armed youth entered? She stood in front of her child trying to save his life and the bullet took her life.

Where was the Protect Sacramento campaign as hundreds are continuously losing their life and hundreds more will never know freedom, in the City of Sacramento?

Why did so many come out tonight to “Protect Sacramento”? Where are the hundreds when town hall meetings towards the violence are held? Where were they when the Mayor held his forum on crime?

Where is the Protect Sacramento campaign when youth are at risk? Does it only become a campaign to Protect Sacramento when money for a department is at risk?

It appeared many were looking at money, at the budget, job security and not the people affected, exposed suffering as a result of crime.

It appeared many on the counsel were looking at endorsements, votes and not as Father Boyle states, “Nothing stops a bullet like a job”

Sacramento city officials were hypnotized by the pied piper of city hall-- a union which came out in full force to play our elected officials like a fiddle.

It was extremely painful watching city hall transform into a 16th century Pied Piper fairytale.

It is alarming, concerning and disappointing to see City Officials hypnotized by the music or endorsement of the Pied Piper.

It appears elected officials within the City of Sacramento will make sacrifices through this budget process. They appear to sacrifice life and freedom for a department and possible election endorsements.

Youth Violence Prevention Forum May 6-7

2011-05-05T18:45:25Z

Kudos to St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Youth Department for providing an educational opportunity for youth 13-17yrs of age.

The program will focus on youth violence prevention- to save a life and save freedom. The program will include discussions on youth death and youth arrests.

Everyone is welcome. Please bring youth who you feel could benefit from the outreach.

On Friday youth will write down what they want to discuss. A mother who lost her teenage son will discuss choices. Her son died after making a bad choice and police attempted to apprehend him. The mother has a powerful tragic story to share with the youth.

Their will also be several youth performances including the Aztec Dance Group, Justice... Guest speaker, Rhonda Erwin, will discuss Sacramento youth deaths / arrests. The youth will put their heart and soul into their performances.

Saturday will offer youth entertainment as well including Youth Praise Team, Yeshua Movement, Gospel Rappers...

Saturday's program will also include a powerful L.I.F.E - four part series
L - Law looking from above - Sister Debra Herndon (Warden aspect)
I - In the Cage of rage - Minister William Gillard (Inmate aspect)
F - Forever a number - Brother Eric Wright (Parole Officer Aspect)
E - End result of your actions - Rhonda Erwin (Family member of an inmate aspect)

Give a man a fish; he can eat for a day. Teach him how to fish; he will eat for a lifetime.

Youth FUNCTION

Mission Statement

Community Outreach

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Youth Department will:

Provide an educational opportunity for youth ages 13-17 years, which is age appropriate, fun, exciting, and spiritually filled. The program will focus on youth violence prevention and our motto is, “If we can save at least one child from the system, we were successful”.

The program includes, Praise Teams, Praise Dancers, Youth Counselors, Law Enforcement Officers, games and much more.

Two Day Event - Schedule

Friday, May 6, 2011

Registration/Dinner: 6:30pm

Program: 7:30p until

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Breakfast: 9:30a

Program: 10:30a-1:00p

Contact Denice Moore for additional details

What's Going On?

2011-04-21T07:07:03Z

"Mother, Mother there's far too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother there's far too many of you dying. You know we've got to find a way to bring some lovin here today. Father, Father you don't need to escalate. You see, war is not the answer. For only love can conquer hate. You know we've got to find a way to bring some lovin here today... We've got to find a way to bring some understanding here today... When will it end, when will people start getting together again..." Marvin Gaye http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s

What's Going On?

April 20, 2011 One dies and six injured as a result of violence in South Sacramento.

Four were shot on 51st Avenue in South Sacramento. Two are said to be hospitalized.

Three are stabbed in South Sacramento. One lost his life.

In the last six days fourteen have been shot. Four have been stabbed. Five have died. Nine are injured.

April 15, 2011 a 21yr-old Sacramento youth was shot five times- Arden- Arcade area. He is in critical condition.

April 15, 2011 a 19yr year old Sacramento teen was shot and killed. His 20yr old brother was shot in the face.

April 17, 2011 One dead, on the ground, gunshot wound to the head and another, also shot, injured outside a South Sacramento night club

April 17, 2011 Five are shot and one died after a Del Paso Heights Party

April 17, 2011 An eighteen year old died after being fatally stabbed.

April 20, 2011 Three are stabbed on Quinta Court near Stockton Blvd. One victim died at the hospital. Two victims were driven to the hospital with wounds.

April 20, 2011 Four were shot on 51st Avenue in South Sacramento. Two are said to be hospitalized.

Before one is buried another has lost his life. Cries continue to echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another.

There are far too many of us crying. There are far too many of us dying. You know we've got to find a way to bring love here today.

Precious Lord please take our hand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwUpW7ioiA

What Do I Have To Do To Make You Love Me? What Do I Have To Do To Make You Care?

2011-04-19T04:15:53Z

"What have I got to do to make you love me? Huh? What have I got to do to make you care? What do I do when lightening strikes me and I wake up and find that you're not there? What have I got to do to make you want me? What have I got to do to be heard? What do I say when it's all over? And sorry seems to be the hardest word? It's a sad, so sad It's a sad sad situation and it's getting more and more absurd... It's sad, so sad. Why can't we talk it over? Oh it seems to me that sorry seems to be the hardest word" Ray Charles and Elton John" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y29dWcuqQY

In Memory of All of Sacramento Youth Homicide Victims (This is an incomplete list. I apologize for all the names that are not listed within all age groups. All life is important and the loss of all life is important. The list reflects the age group where our youth are dying at a greater rate.) Also I apologize the list does not reflect the hundreds of youth who were shot but survived to be blind, paralyzed, amputated limbs, physically, emotional and mentally affected by their injuries. Their lives and pain are also important.

You are dearly loved, missed and mourned by many within the Sacramento community:

Sean Paul Aquitania Jr 7 months - Jone Vongkhamsomphou 12 years old - Lenny Visamoune 13 yrs - Dominic Namnard 13 yrs -Ronald Kenoly 14 yrs - Lanajah Nachelle Dupree 14yrs - Shavtavia Westbrook 15yrs - Aliyah Smith 15yrs- Phillip Bailey 15 yrs - MarioVidal 15yrs- Roberto Sandoval 15yrs - Robert Maisonette 15yrs - Roberto Treadway 15yrs - Abel Alonso 15yrs - Rodney Foster 15yrs - ...Francisco Medina-Thomas 16yrs - Crystal Dawn Reid 16 yrs - Dureay Jones 16yrs - Sean Cassinelli 16yrs - Donte Walton 16yrs - Jelisa Office 16yrs - Robert Haynes 16yrs - ...Dominique Hickman 17yrs - Cardenas Carrillo 17yrs - Alan Ting Khamphomy 17yrs - Curtis "DR" Allison 17yrs- William Martinez 17yrs - Edward Heydaragha 17yrs- Joshua Tranhan - Mays 17yrs - Kevin Marshall 17yrs- Alan Khamphourmy 17 yrs- Pavel Chepelyuk 17yrs - Eduardo Estrella 17yrs- Clifton Reed 17yrs- Navid Chand 17yrs - Tony Nguyen 17yrs - Cornell Harris 17yrs - Lamar Gasaway 17yrs - Deantwean Thomas 17yrs - Robert Placencia 17yrs - Joaquin Zavala 17yrs - Crisanto Guerrero 17yrs - Quang Hoang 17yrs - Marcus Rangel 17yrs - Daniel Garcia 17yrs - Amber Yager 17yrs - Marque Johnson 17yrs - Bobby Wilson 17yrs- Victor Henrique Lima 17yrs - Daniel Valdez 111 17yrs - Paul Robinson 17yrs- Damien King 17yrs - Mathew Maurizzio 17yrs - ... Vladimer Korets 18yrs- Marcus Thompson 18yrs- Jazzmyne Bruner 18yrs - Ralph Reynose 18yrs- Gamaliel Torres 18yrs- D'Andre Blackwell18yrs - German Mendoza 18yrs- Sean Tennerson 18yrs - David Mendez 18yrs- Lucinda Costen 18yrs - Quinnisha Thomas 18yrs - Burton Mack 18yrs - James Ramirez 18yrs - William Virdee 18yrs - Emanuel Michel 18yrs - Marcus Mays 18yrs - Jack Lawrence 18yrs- Favian Fuller 18yrs - Shaneel Singh 18yrs - Timothy Carver 18yrs - Sophie Bartkiewicz 18yrs - Fabien Reyes 18yrs- Cha Lee 18yrs - Julio Tobeldo 18yrs - Howard Morris 18yrs - Delvon Valentine 18yrs - Tan Tran 18yrs - David Rubi 18yrs - Christine Cheatman 18yrs - Byron Breen 18yrs - Voskoboinik Pavels 18yrs - Oscar Munoz 18yrs - Rojelio Hurtado 18yrs - Anthony Galati 19yrs- Donald Monroe 18yrs - Matthew Harrison 18yrs - Norman Souza 18yrs - Freddie Kimber 18yrs - Maurice Taylor 18yrs - Dante Spivey 18yrs - Jullian Herrera 18yrs - Rhea Escovilla 18yrs- Joshua Fish 18yrs- Melinda Vo 18yrs- Michael Clemente 18yrs- Soutalay Vongsedone 18yrs - Leon Hamilton 18yrs- Jose Mendes 18yrs- Gregory Augustus 18yrs- ...Tyesha Gallien 19yrs - Perell Marquise Waters 19yrs - Vinh Cam Tuyen 9yrs- Donald Robinson 19yrs- Lakishia Montue 19yrs - Demetrio Nambo 19yrs - Frederick Howard 19yrs- Richard Rios 19yrs- Rajneel Sharma Kamal 19yrs - Eric Anthony Young 19yrs - Perell Waters 19yrs- Chaita Saechao 19yrs- Marcos Estrada Jr 19yrs - Eugene Gallegos 19yrs- Aaron Corona 19yrs- Clinton Poole 19yrs- Daniel Murphy 19yrs- Samuel Latu 19yrs- Rohimah Maderios 19yrs- Jamail Singh 19yrs- Vinh Nguyen 19yrs- Johnathan Powell 19yrs- Duance Mackey 19yrs- Robert Ingram 19yrs- Christopher Dominquez 19yrs- Jai Anton Westbrook 19yrs- Carlos Morales 19yrs- Gonzalo Sanchez 19yrs- Jamie Reed 19yrs- Gao Vue 19yrs- Andre Salsedo 19yrs- Anthony Rocha 19yrs- Genevia Walker 19yrs- Kong Fong Moua 19yrs- Chong Vang 19yrs- Vinh Tuyen 19yrs - Reuben Delatorre 19yrs- Gamaliel Torres 19yrs- Justin Johnson 19yrs- Kisbi Allen 19yrs- Major Quinney 19yrs- Tommy Deorsoan 19yrs- Adrian Romero 19yrs- Andrew Volynets 19yrs- Francisco Flores 19yrs - Victor Mares 19- Charles Robinson 19- Jonathan Giurbino 19- Brandon Timmons 19yrs- Matthew Seivert 19yrs- Ismael Baez 19yrs- David Bongsavath 19yrs- Richard Cassell 19yrs- Anthony Galati 19yrs- Jesus Gabriel Demara 19yrs- James Giles 19yrs- M'Angelo Cordero 19yrs- Johnnie Johnson 19yrs-... Lapria Tyson 20yrs- Faustino Garcia 20yrs- Albert Titman 20yrs- Augusto Lopez-Garcia 20yrs- Hector Rosales 20yrs- Sahara Tufts 20yrs- Joseph Washington 20yrs- Christopher Montejano 20yrs- Greg Champagne 20yrs- Curtis Anderson Jr 20yrs- Kyle Ray Smith 20yrs- Jevon Drake 20yrs- Horatio Lawrence 20yrs- Hoa Nguyen 20yrs- Victor Derueda 20yrs- Kbret Tekle 20yrs- Salvador Ayala 20yrs- Nina Susu 20yrs- Sione Lomano 20yrs- Jovannie Etancur 20yrs- Tommy Xiong 20yrs- Hudson Augustus 20yrs- Charles Witherow 20yrs- Trong Nugyen 20yrs - Jose Johnson 20yrs- Brandon Long 20yrs- Alfredo Enrique Perez 20yrs- James Black 20yrs- Donte Rogers 20yrs- Thomas Massi 20yrs- Ryan Lumagui 20yrs- Santino Hogan 20yrs- Hai Tran 20yrs- Dawayne Douglas 20yrs- Johnson Lee 20yrs- Jonah Simms 20yrs- Alfredo Enrique Perez 20yrs- ...Emmanuel Pickens 21yrs- Dominic Campos 21yrs- John Adamo 21yrs- Demetris Whteside 21yrs- Dmitriy Paskar 21yrs- Neelesh Sami 21yrs- Darryl Sams 21yrs- Clarence Smith 21yrs- Christopher Torres 21yrs- Kyron Vandell 21yrs- Adrian Hutchins 21yrs- Gregory Dockery 21yrs- Raymone Wshington 21yrs- Gerardo Jimenez 21yrs- Joe Velasquez 21yrs- Timothy Lawson 21yrs- Juan Blancas 21yrs- Nai Saechao 21yrs- Sean Paul Aquitania Sr 21yrs- Dawn Perrigo 21yrs- Carlos Encisco 21yrs- Sanjay Ray 21yrs- Mario Vasquez 21yrs- Benjamin Lujan 21yrs- Mallory Treadwell 21yrs- Phillip Latimer 21yrs- Danny Johnson 21yrs- Steven Daniels 21yrs- Sione Folau 21yrs- Coong Sin 21yrs- Tony Xiong 21yrs- Donald McCall 21yrs- Kam Kam 21yrs- Jamay Sticca 21yrs- Donald Willis 21yrs- Kavon Kyle Lyles 21yrs- Ehab Hubibeh 21yrs- Marc Grimes 21yrs- Juan Atrisco 21yrs- James Melendez 21yrs- Luther Ryan 21yrs- Maria Tores 21yrs- Dominic Campos 21yrs- Paul Ray Cousins 21yrs- ...Anthony Dawson 22yrs- Phue Pham 22yrs- Benjamin Carvajal 22yrs- Deandre Thomas 22yrs- Auturo Rodriquez 22yrs- Alvin Richardon 22yrs- Andre Slaughter 22yrs- Jose Medina 22 yrs- Kevin Moore 22yrs- Legion Dobbins 22yrs- Clifford Owens 22- Ramon Valverde 22yrs- Jose Rodriquez 22yrs- Sean Williams 22yrs- Samy Pasioles 22yrs- Ernest Williams 22yrs- Juan Gutierrez 22yrs- Michael Sanchez 22yrs- Robert Carrillo 22yrs-Matthew Castillo 22yrs- David Perkins 22yrs- Ay Saechao 22yrs- Isidro Lopez 22yrs- Igor Vitvitskiy 22yrs- Cornell Gathing 22yrs- Joseph Montoya 22yrs- Marlon Youngblood 22yrs- David Blanks 22yrs- Tammula Robbins 22yrs- ...Carlos Cervantes 23yrs- Adrian Rojos 23yrs- Prince Ray Mills 23yrs- Darrell Harrison 23yrs- Edward Jackson 23yrs- Pra Yang 23yrs- Anthony Espinosa 23yrs- Cheryl Brinkley 23yrs- Eric Grimble 23yrs- Brandon Loomer 23yrs- Jorge Vasquez 23yrs- Nicky Ly 23 yrs- Rocky Tupu 23yrs- Roshod Gusters 23yrs- Antonio Garcia 23yrs- So Su 23yrs- Mwasi Dennis 23yrs- Kae Saevang 23yrs- Fred Hernandez 23yrs- Kyle Billing 23yrs- Damon Perkins 23yrs- Travil Collins 23yrs- Shiralessia Nelson 23yrs- Jose Tova Palacios 23yrs- Santiago Duarte 23yrs- Alejandro Villalobos 23yrs- LeWayne Carolina 23yrs- James Periman 23yrs- Jevon Brown 23yrs- ...Albert Dawson 24yrs- Michael Thames 24yrs- Vincent Estrada 24yrs- James Means 24yrs- Michael Parker 24yrs- Matthew Erwin 24yrs- Antoine Wood 24yrs- Christopher Jiminez 24yrs- Jesse Rodgers 24yrs- Patrick Portalin 24yrs- Alfredo Hernandez 24yrs- Cleveland Cayson 24yrs- James Myers 24yrs- Theron Hopkins 24yrs- Julio Orozco 24yrs, Serge Zubenko 24yrs- Babriel Martinez 24yrs- Jose Felix Himes 24yrs- Wang Lee 24yrs- Andrew Gates 24yrs- Andre Whittaker 24yrs- Juliet Chastain 24yrs- Wesley Hunter 24yrs- Allen Qualls 24yrs- Arthur Haygood 24yrs- Teveston Johnson 24yrs- Keith Shaw 24yrs- Brendon Howton 24yrs- Veron Holden 24yrs- Francisco Fernandez 24yrs- Patrick Razaghzadeh 24yrs- ...Robert Grimes 25yrs- Damon Haywood 25yrs- Hector Barrera 25yrs- Joe Cisneros 25yrs- Michael Smith 25yrs- Dumaurier Lewis 25yrs- Fernando Munoz 25yrs- Tersha Brown 25yrs- Alison Freesheha 25yrs- Derek Mathis 25yrs- Sylvia Guerro 25yrs- Sonja Vasquez 25yrs- Nairobi Wirght 25yrs- ... Frank Champion Jr 26yrs- Keith Lu 216yrs- Salvador Arriaga 26yrs- Alejandro Baustista 26yrs- Shawn West 26yrs- Doua La 26yrs- Derrick Franklin 26yrs- Anthony Fuller 26yrs- Danny Hickman 26yrs- Sevon Boles 26yrs- Priscilla Walker 26yrs- Stefon Mayers Jr 26yrs- Chateamer Homes 27yrs- Xavir Rodriquez 27yrs- Michael Barron 27yrs- Shautea Coates 27yrs- Charles Barkclay 27yrs- Jesus Cortes-Heredia 27yrs- Marquis Kendall 28yrs, Ricky Buford 28yrs- Devin Crowder 28yrs, Carlos Lomeli 28yrs....

Again, I apologize for all the names that are not listed. The death of your love one is equally loved, missed and mourned by many within the Sacramento community.

"How do I say Goodbye to what we had...I don't know where this road is gonna lead. All I know is where we've been and what we've been through. I will take with me the memories to be my sunshine after the rain. It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday." Boys2Men http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VastXQ_hPb0&feature=related

In the Spirit Of Love and Peace

Can Somebody- Anybody- Tell Me Why We Die?

2011-04-18T12:31:44Z

Can somebody, anybody tell me why we die?...

Prayyyyyyy, and we pray and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday
and we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray...

While you laughin we're passing, passing away...

Can somebody anybody tell me why?
Hey, can somebody anybody tell me why we die, we die?
I don't wanna die... Bone, Thugs and Harmony http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMYAEHE2GrM&feature=related

Within three days, in Sacramento, ten people were shot. Four have died including an eighteen year old who died of stab wounds. Seven are injured by gunshot wounds. Many more could have become victims as over 30 shell casings are found and many bullet holes in cars.

Friday, April 15, 2011 a 21yr-old Sacramento youth was shot five times- Arden- Arcade area. He is in critical condition.

Friday, April 15, 2011 a 19yr year old Sacramento teen was shot and killed. His 20yr old brother was shot in the face.

Sunday, April 17, 2011 One dead, on the ground, gunshot wound to the head and another, also shot, injured outside a South Sacramento night club

Sunday, April 17, 2011 Five are shot and one died after a Del Paso Heights Party

Sunday, April 17, 2011 An eighteen year old died after being fatally stabbed.

Car washes are being held to bury victims.

Candle light vigils are held in both South Sacramento and North Sacramento where friends and family gather at the site where someone they love took their last breath.

Before one is buried another is murdered.

People, teens, youth are dying prematurely.

Families are preparing to bury their young six feet in the ground, covered in dirt.

Mothers, Fathers, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends... are mourning.

Cries echo from North Sacramento to South Sacramento.

People are grieving, suffering, frightened, fighting to live and living to die. .

Can somebody anybody tell me why we die?.

And we pray and we pray, and we pray, and we pray
Everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday
and we pray, and we pray, and we pray, and we pray...

While you're laughin we're passing, passing away. And we pray and we pray and we pray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-JmZ9ADhYg&feature=related (lyrics)

Our prayers will be answered. And may what has been done in the dark come to the light. May we please seek effective solutions to address the violence interupting the lives of so very many Sacramento residents.

Please Help Us Mend Our Broken Hearts And Help Us Live Again

2011-04-16T05:26:38Z

How can you mend a broken heart? Al Green

"I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do
I could never see tomorrow, but I was never told about the sorrow

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend a this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again

I can still feel the breeze that rustles through the trees
And misty memories of days gone by
We could never see tomorrow, no one said a word about the sorrow

Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again"

Tonight I sit with tears painfully singing, 'How can you mend a borken heart" by Al Green. Tonight I pray please let our youth see tomorrow. Please let them live again. Please God mend our broken hearts.

On April 14, 2011 at approximately 4:45pm Francisco Flores, nineteen years young, was shot and killed. Near his lifeless body laid his twenty years young brother, Michael, bleeding with gunshot wounds to the face.

The brothers were shot in their car in the parking lot of a small shopping center at Northgate Boulevard and San Juan Road. Francisco "Frankie" took his last breath at the scene. Michael was taken, away from his brother, to the hospital.

A family must prepare to bury their loved one. The same family must prepare to lift another loved one as he will undergo facial reconstruction and live with the horrific memory of his brother dying.

How can you reconstruct a broken damaged heart? How do you mend a brother's broken heart when he witnessed his younger brother take his last breath?

How can you stop the tears from falling when your love one, so young, will never see tomorrow? And another will face tomorrow with deep sorrow?

What do you say to a mother - a family- divided by the pain of preparing to sit in a funeral with one love one and the pain of sitting in a hospital trying to comfort another love one whose pain is so deep he can not be comforted?

I do not have to personally know Francisco "Frankie" to mourn his passing. I do not have to personally know Michael to feel a tremendous sadness for his sorrow and pain.

I am a mother and my heart aches, grieves badly, for the pain and sorrow the mother of Francisco and Michael must now endure.

Today I held beautiful 19 years young Patsy. Her heart is swollen in pain. She told us of the passing of Frankie and the injury of Michael. Her eyes were filled with sadness. Her heart expanded with grief. She has known the brothers since her early childhood.

As Patsy stood motionless with people of different ethnic backgrounds, different life experiences, male and female, young and old we all could feel her pain and sadness. Love is colorless.

We reached out in the spirit of love to try and mend her broken heart. She loves Frankie and Michael and their are no words which can give her comfort. Comfort will come ---from divine intervention.

Youth violence has a domino effect and the aftermath of the violence reaches far and many. In the words of Dr King, "We are all woven from the same garment. What affects one of us directly affects all of us indirectly"

Every funeral I have attended, of murdered youth, has been filled to capacity with young people in pain. Every candle light vigil I ever attended hundreds of youth stood with broken hearts.

The families are swollen in pain with broken hearts. The friends are swollen in pain with broken hearts.

We did not have to be of the same ethnic background to mourn the loss of one of God's children. We did not have to live in the same neighborhood to feel the impact of the loss of life.

We did not have to personally know the victims to open our hearts and reach out to the family faced with the sorrow of youth violence.

Love and pain has no boundaries. Love and Pain are colorless.

Francisco will never see tomorrow. Michael and his entire family and friends will live with the sorrow. And many of us who did not personally know the brothers will grieve the loss of life of one brother and the tremendous sorrow another brother is left with.

We are all our brothers keepers.

Please God mend the broken hearts of the families and the broken hearts of the Youth and Please God help them live again.

In the Spirit of Love and Pain

My heart and prayers are extended to the Flores family and all affected by this tragedy. My heart and prayers are also extended to Patsy and may you again show us your beautiful smile. May God bless you one and all.

Rhonda Erwin

Basketball is a sport not a solution

2011-02-28T06:17:31Z

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.
H. L. Mencken

Since High School I enjoyed attending basketball games. I use to love watching the Sport. As a youth I admit I was sports struck. Heck, I went to my prom with one of our high schools best basketball players.

As a middle aged adult I still enjoy watching a good game of basketball. But it is what it is-- a game. It is a band-aid fix not a permanent solution to the economic growth of our city.

Sacramento is in deficit. Having the Sports team in the city did not prevent the city's deficit. I would like to believe if the team were never here the city would have found other avenues to grow.

Yes, The kings leaving Sacramento will add to additional unemployed residents. But when life gives us lemons we make lemonade. We, especially those unemployed, will look for employment not follow the Kings. Heck, with the Kings in Sacramento many employed at the Arena were still receiving unemployment benefits many months out the year.

It seems Sacramento's ability to grow into a world class city might just be a complex problem. It appears our problem is more than catering to a simple basketball team. Our problem is looking to be a world class city while failing to have a vision-outside of sports or entertainment.

Can a basketball team- a game of Sports- make or break, thrive or hinder the economic growth of a city? If so, then perhaps the city will never draw, keep or convince another team to play in this city.

Perhaps "world class cities" attract sports team because the city offered more than a sports team for entertainment, economic growth and employment. Perhaps the Sports teams came to the cities because the cities offered entertainment for the Sports teams and its players and did not rely on the Sports team to be the entertainment.

Having a sports team in our city is great. But it seems the city should draw a team to want to live and play in the city and not the other way around with a sports team calling the shots in the city.

A Sports team should want to come to the city. And when the Sports team continuously threatens to leave the city then perhaps the city should stop looking at the team and start looking at ways to improve the city. Perhaps then it will attract teams to its city.

It seems in Sacramento leaders are continuously trying to solve complex problems with simple solutions. It seems we are continuously addressing issues on the surface, looking at quick money and not at lasting solutions.

Instead of the city developing an Arena task force, it should have developed an Economic Task Force for solutions towards unemployment and to create jobs to generate revenue. For the last few years low wage employees have been losing their jobs at Arco Arena.

It appears in Sacramento we are trying to solve a complex problem with a simple solution- a simple game of basketball to generate revenue. I can not imagine a basketball team as being a solution to the growth of Sacramento.

Having the Kings in Sacramento has been temporary entertainment and not a permanent solution to our economic crisis.

Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. William Ellery Channing

Heck, I say "Hasta la vista" Sacramento Kings. The Sports team being here is appearing to hinder economic growth as a city becomes dependent on highly paid sports players bouncing, dribbling, throwing a ball for economic growth.

If the Kings decide to stay in Sacramento I hope Sacramento officials decide to look beyond basketball and seriously look towards other avenues to develop the economic growth of this city.

Giving too much power to high paid sports players, managers and team owners has to be wrong. If the main factor to a city thriving or becoming world class is sports then something is terribly wrong. It can't be right to attempt to solve a complex problem with a simple solution with a game of sports.

If the Kings decide to leave Sacramento the difficulties with the loss of jobs and revenue should make this city stronger. When we fall down we get back up. When one door is closed another is open. When we lose something we search for something of more value. We don't put Band-Aids on fractures. We don't continue to throw good money after bad.

To be a world class city we have to create resources, opportunities, employment, entertainment, crime prevention... A basketball team should not make or break a city; it should not be a major factor of a city thriving nor should the loss of a team hinder the development of a city. If it does then the city was also in deficit of a vision. And without a vision the people will perish with or without a sports team.

The Kings leaving Sacramento won't make economic growth impossible; it will only mean we never looked for or found the solution to economic growth.

Don't get me wrong I love the game of basketball. But this city is in deficit. The sports team, using a marketing firm now selling tickets at 10% of its value, did not deliver this city from deficit. The city should have looked for a Economic Task Force to determine what would bring revenue in a new Arena before looking to build a new Arena.

In this city our youth are fighting to live and living to die where death and incarceration are chasing them and employment, resources, youth activities/ entertainment grows further out of their reach. Surely our leaders should have saw the Kings would possibily be leaving the city. Afterall, this is not the first time the Kings threatened to leave.

If Sacramento loses revenue, by the Kings leaving Sacramento, we shouldn't blame it on the fact we lost our sports team. We should blame it on the fact some of our leaders did not have a vision to see beyond the game of sports/ basketball for the arena.

Basketball is a sport not a solution; to think otherwise just seems wrong.

Kudos to those who work at answering service centers

2011-01-30T11:07:10Z

Recently I took a job at an answering service call center. I thought it would be easy work. I mean, really how difficult can it be to answer the phone and take and relay messages?

Well, I learned it is not easy seeing how spoiled some of us have become.

A woman calls in for her home warranty company. She is very upset because it is Friday and the contractor assigned is telling her he needs to do additional work and needs authorization to complete the job.

I went to work happy and in good spirits. But my smile turns upside down as the caller begins yelling at me. I continuously apologize and attempt to explain her coverage amount. I explain customer service will open on Monday and she can get authorization to go over the amount on Monday.

She yells, curses and screams, 'What am I supposed to do?" I have to take a shower. I can't take a shower. Get me a manager right now." But she is calling after hours and no manager is available.

As she unleashes her anger and directs it towards she yells, "What do you want me to do? I can't take a shower. I have somewhere to go. Find someone to take care of this." She screams, "What do you suggest I do mam?"

I bite my tongue. The thought that entered my mind was to say, "Mam, boil some hot water pour it in a tub with your cold water and take a warm bubble bath. Heck, light some candles and make the best of a bad situation. You don't have to take a shower. For goodness sake boil water and take a bath"

But to keep my job; I listen to her continuous complaints and listen to her yell and direct her anger towards me.

The power goes out in one neighborhood. A call comes in for a power company. The kind woman, understandably, wants to know why the power is out. She explains she has a medical condition which requires the use of a machine that she needs power for.

I dispatch the call and explain to the caller that a technician is in the area and they are working to resolve the issue. She is thankful for the service and the call is ended.

A second call comes in, from the same area, the man is irate and yelling, 'My power is off, and I can't use my microwave." He begins yelling, cursing and unleashes and directs all his anger towards me. He yells, "I can't use my microwave." I explain a technician has been dispatched.

He yells, "Did you hear me? I can't use my microwave. What am I supposed to do?" I bite my tongue wanting to say, "Sir, the caller before you can't use her breathing machine and you are worried about a microwave?"

But again, I want to keep my job so I suck up the complaint and anger directed towards me.

I took another call. I held my breath when I saw it was for a home warranty company. The caller stated her upstairs bathroom was not working properly and the plumber can't come until Monday.

I exhaled when she then stated, 'Well, I just wanted to let you know. It's not the end of the world. I can use the downstairs bathroom. Please have someone call me on Monday."

I smiled. Prior to her call I wondered, "Is it the end of the world? Heck, the folks I was talking to were down right spoiled and mean.

Another call comes in for a heating and air conditioning company. I tell the caller I will dispatch the call and the technician has two hours to respond.

The caller yells, "I have no heat. And you want me to wait two hours?" I bite my tongue wanting to say 'Sir, grab a blanket bundle up and drink some hot chocolate. It's only two hours."

To work at a call center can be an emotional roller coaster ride. We take hundreds of calls a day.

We take calls from cancer patients having a bad reaction to their chemo. You can hear the fear and love in their voice.

We take calls from family members arranging to have their elderly or hospice family member deceased body picked up. You can hear the pain and love in their voice.

We take calls from women bleeding, in the middle of miscarriages, afraid of losing their child. You can hear the worry and love in their voice.

We take calls from people getting evicted from their apartments or their homes in foreclosure. They are worried about where they will take their children to live. You can hear the sadness and love in their voice.

We take calls from people who can't pay their electric bill and have no lights. They won't have the income to have the lights back on for a month or more. You can hear the concern and love in their voice.

It never ceases to amaze me that the meanest people appear to be those whose complaints are so insignificant in comparison to what so many others are experiencing.

I turned down a job for a telemarketer position. I believe No means No. I would get fired for not doing rebuttals and not trying to convince people to buy something they weren't in the market to buy.

I thought working at an answering service call center would be an easier job since I won't have the pressure of selling people anything. But, I don't know if this is the right job for me. I just keep biting my tongue.

I try not to let the complaints, anger and hostility I receive from callers affect me. I try to leave with the smile I came to work with. But some days it is difficult to leave with a smile.

The good thing is that for every 50 calls from someone irate; there will be that one call of love that overshadows the anger.

Heck, it’s not easy working at an answering service call center when you are low income and see so many spoiled people.

We get paid just enough to make it til our next payday. And often we are a payday away from our electric bill being shut off, or face eviction, or have medical or dental bills that we can't pay the deductable on.

It is not easy answering calls and hearing so many people with genuine concerns and pain. It’s not easy answering calls and some (too many) people appear spoiled and become irate and unreasonable and direct their anger and hostility towards you.

Working at an answering service call center is more difficult than I imagined it would be. But heck, I am thankful to be employed.

This article is to send Kudos to all those who work for an answering service company and to also send Kudos to all those who call in the Spirit of Love making our job easier. Thank you!

We should not stand divided or with conditional love to address youth violence

2010-12-22T08:00:39Z

On Monday, December 20th, I received two emails to attend the NAACP Press Conference scheduled for Tuesday December 21th, 2010 at 9:30am which ask for a Community to stand united “to engage in a process that will result in a strategic plan to end the senseless violence that has been occurring in our city.”

With all my heart and outrage I wanted to attend the conference. But with such short notice I was unable to get the morning off of work. Since I was not at the Press Conference and read an article in the daily paper which concerns me I am writing this open letter to the “Mayor, Leaders, Activists”, standing united.

To be honest I was both excited and disappointed. I am genuinely excited to learn a community consisting of families, leaders, activists and community members are mobilizing to address youth violence.

I am also disappointed. Where is Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee? The shooting deaths at Fly Cuts Barber Shop where two were killed, several were injured occurred in his district.

Why is Sacramento Mayor Johnson selectively addressing the deaths (and one which occured in the County of Sacramento)? Does it take a shooting death at Second Saturday which could affect businesses and a shooting death of a beautiful mother who shielded her baby boy from bullets in the county of Sacramento for the Mayor to address violence? Could this be a photo op for our mayor?

Many of us have doubts that Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson will significantly address youth violence after the ineffective, insignificant, unacceptable gang summit our mayor orchestrated.

My heart, prayers, love is extended to all the families mourning the loss of their loved one as a result of youth violence. My love is unconditional. But it appears some in Sacramento are placing conditional love on the victims (and their families) of violence.

It appears the media is determining who some should mourn and grieve for when there are two people who died as a result of the shooting at Fly Cuts. This separation can cause division. In fact how united are we standing If we are divided embracing one victim and dismissing, ignoring or overlooking two additional victims and overlooking all those who love them?

Three people lost their lives in Sacramento the past week. The two deaths getting very little attention, Antonne and Marvion are male youth 20yrs of age. The deaths which will occur more often will be male youth late teens and early 20's years of age. We should put emphasis on preventing their deaths as well as victms caught in the crossfire..

If you are going to stand up and address youth violence I suggest you put your best foot forward. This is not personal. (I like all the people involved in putting together this forum) But this is business. A community is in mourning. In less than a week two 20yr old youth were shot and killed. The daily paper as well as it appears our Mayor “leaders, activists, civil rights organizations” has placed emphasis on one homicide.

I know the death of the mother, Monique, who died protecting her son is very tragic. I too mourn her passing.

Equally important the past deaths of 26yr old Priscilla who just gave birth to twins and was shot and killed caught in the crossfire was also tragic. The death of 18yr old Christina who was shot and killed, caught in the crossfire was tragic. The death of 15yr old Shawtavia who was shot and killed caught in the crossfire was tragic. The death of 19yr old Tyesha a mother of one shot and killed caught in the crossfire was tragic. The death of 16yr old Jelisa shot and killed caught in the crossfire was tragic.

So very many have lost their lives caught in the crossfire, so yes, I am excited a community is standing united to address the violence.

I am excited we are mobilizing in efforts to address youth violence and I pray the recent deaths will not be in vain as the literally hundreds of deaths occuring in Sacramento have appeared to be in vain.

On December 21, 2010 another 20yr year old youth, Antonne, was shot and killed in the City of Sacramento. On my way home from work I went to the Church of Christ and stood in front of the candles at his vigil. I cried reading the words “Mom luvs u” on the teddy bear. I asked myself “How does this mother feel, her son dead and a community appearing to overlook his death?

I cried when I looked directly across the street and remembered the vigil of 18yr old D’Andre, I cried when I looked further down the street where the vigil was held for 21yr old Paul who was shot and killed . Tears flowed as I looked across the street where 21yr old Wesley body laid lifeless.

I stood and cried, tears flowing heavier when I looked less than a block where 18yr old Jack’s body was shot and killed. My tears begin to flow heavy and hard when I looked to the right of me where 23yr old Donte was shot and killed. I caught my breath and cried looking at the grassy area, to my left, where 21yr old Gregory was shot and killed and his body laid breathless.

I cried and cried thinking of all the lives lost and all the broken hearts.

I must send a warning. If you stand up to address youth violence you better do so with genuine efforts embracing an entire community affected and exposed to the violence or you will add insult to injury, pour salt on wounds, cause more harm than good and quite frankly cause some outrage.

If what I read in the daily paper is a reflection of how we are addressing youth violence I am disappointed but I will save that disappointment for another time.

I am however excited to learn the conference will result in a strategic plan to end the senseless violence.

I hope we start by 1) embracing all who mourn and grieve the loss of a loved one. We can start by also embracing some that main stream media may not embrace. There are literally hundreds of Sacramento teens and youth attending funerals of friends they love. The teens and youth are also in mourning. There are many families affected by the violence which has plagued Sacramento for decades, they too need to be embraced.

2) We can start by addressing social and emotional strength related to youth violence; incorporate and enhance programs such as the District Attorney's GIFT, CHOICES, Child Death Review Team models... (which failed to reach the community directly affected, influenced and exposed to youth violence)

3) We can develop the Youth Violence Council suggested in a detail report by the Surgeon General. Below are links to those programs: http://www.lhc.ca.gov/studies/159/report159.pdf Surgeon General Report/ Little Hoover Commission report to curb youth violence: Never Too early; Never too late to prevent youth violence. We don't have to reinvent the wheel or stand scratching our heads wondering what to do. The Surgeon General informed the state of California several years ago what should be done.

The report contains two essential conclusions: The first is that crime and violence among our young people can be prevented and we must work more diligently to seize the opportunities before us to reduce the harm.

4) We can not jump into every program, every idea.... as mentioned in http://articles.latimes.com/2001/jun/13/local/me-9863
June 13, 2001 LA Times article “State Bid to Curb Youth Violence Criticized Services“: Anti-crime effort is haphazard and underfunded, report says, citing studies showing that aggression is a learned behavior.

5) We should read and learn the National Child Death Review Team Keeping Kids Alive model and the Child Death Review Team Process and Conducting an effective Review. http://ican-ncfr.org

6) With adjustments.... the following models can also address youth on youth violence as it is mandatory by law within the California Death Review Team http://www.childdeathreview.org/spotlightCA.htm
http://www.keepingkidsalive.org/
http://kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/resources/publications/childdeathreview.cfm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1053/is_n2_v21/ai_13561144/

Sacramento has programs which include elementary and middle school on gun violence prevention but they NEVER reached the community greatly affected and exposed to violence. We should not bring the actual Distict Attorney programs since they never felt the need to address the community in need of the services. But we should bring the program models to the communities affected/ exposed to the violence.

7) Sacramento's District Attorney's GIFT Program - Provides gun information for Middle School students: District Attorney GIFT (Gun Impact For Teens) Program is to educate students about the legal, medical and emotional consequences of youth gun possession and related gun violence, as well as encouraging young people to consider options and choices available to them in situations involving guns. http://www.sacda.org/gift/

8) Sacramento's District Attorney Choices program which also never reached the community greatly affected/ exposed to violence. (elementary school program) provides gun information for elementary school students: Sacramento’s District Attorney CHOICES Program created in 2006 to educate 5th and 6th grade students about the dangers associated with guns. http://www.sacda.org/pr/PDFs/Advisories/Choices%20Press%20Release%20_final_.pdf

9) Our governor veteo the initiative for a High School Program. I previously met with both Dr Dursten and Dr Wang of Physicians for Social Responsibility and discussed gun violence in urban communities . Many people stand and will stand united to address youth violence the concerns goes beyond color, organizations and community leaders. http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=30598 We can bring this initiative to our next governor.

There is far more that we can do than stand in front of the Press, cameras, media and do what has been done repeatedly--- ignorantly attempting to arrest away crime. And we must do more than reach out to the community affected and exposed to violence with conditional love.

In the Spirit of Love

Rhonda Erwin

City Fails to Plants Seeds of Empowerment But Plants Surveillance Cameras

2010-12-06T03:42:03Z

An Open Letter to the Mayor and Council for the City of Sacramento

As a resident of the City of Sacramento who has continuously stood before you begging, crying, pleading for you to address the violence, which has left our children dead on Sacramento city streets or leaving Sacramento to become the walking dead in California prisons, I have several questions regarding your position on surveillance cameras.

In regards to Sacramento Press article: Police Working on Surveillance System
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/41637/Police_working_on_surveillance_system

Within the article it states: “There are many factors that will determine where the cameras will be placed...Among those factors are crime rates, crime trends, special events and areas that may present a threat to public safety. The fixed cameras will be placed based upon recommendations from City Council, the Police Department, and the availability of existing infrastructure.”

Instead of planting seeds of employment, resources, opportunities in crime areas the City of Sacramento decides to continue to plant weeds of surveillance cameras? Why haven't you used the factors of crime rates, crime trends, special events, scientific based, researched based, evidence based studies to determine where to place resources for those affected/ exposed to crime/ violence?

Are you planning on placing the cameras in low income communities?

When the City of Sacramento held the closed-door-away-from-the public-discussion- on where the cameras would be placed did you even once consider if the area is in need of surveillance cameras then it must be in need of resources, opportunities, employment for the residents of that area?

So, the City of Sacramento had the time, energy, resources to have a discussion among themselves on how to arrest people but has YET to have a discussion among themselves and with the public on the needs, other than suppression, of those same areas? You can't have a discussion on crime prevention other than law enforcement funding but you can discuss where to place cameras due to crime?

Will the cameras be placed in Oak Park, Meadowview, Valley Hi, North Sacramento? If you felt the need for the cameras in those areas why have you never felt the need for a Boys & Girls Club in those same areas? Why have you never felt the need to hold a Council session to address crime in those areas? Did money -a grant- have to become available for you to value the life or freedom of City youth?

Their are no Boys & Girls clubs...in Valley Hi, Meadowview, Oak Park, North Sacramento but their is crime so instead of resources those areas get cameras in an ignorant, ineffective attempt to arrest away crime?

Surely you're not ignorant to think this is in any way a solution to crime prevention for the city of Sacramento. Their are surveillance cameras at schools, stores, gas stations, regional transit, malls, on police units, businesses, cameras within the Department of Human Assistance which capture images a block away and crime has not decreased.

We see surveillance criminal activity images on the Sheriffs site, media releases stating "Do you know these thieves?" surely you can't think placing additional surveillance cameras will significantly address violence in our city. Ask the District Attorney's office how many cases they are prosecuting due to surveillance footage? It doesn't appear the District Attorney's office case load has decreased due to surveillance cameras.

It doesn't appear our jails have become less crowded due to surveillance cameras? It doesn't appear surveillance cameras significantly prevents crime. Lots of not-so-bright often under educated and living in communities lacking resources, employment, opportunities commit crimes. It appears surveillance cameras merely aid in arrest / prosecution but the crime goes on. Will you create a balance and give us employment, opportunities, resources in the same areas you place cameras?

You can not pacify a community affected and exposed to crime by merely placing surveillance cameras in their communities and call it crime prevention. You can not silence our cries as you shift crime away from one area (the area with a camera) and move it to another area (the area without a camera). How long will you continue to shift crime instead of looking at avenues to prevent it?

Do you plan to continue to let this cancerous polyp of violence in Sacramento break off and spread to other streets and bodies of Sacramento area youth and families? As it is our cries echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another due to the city decades long neglect of addressing youth violence with employment and opportunites.

Since it is obvious many of you were looking at money- a grant of $615.000- and not at the people will you NOW have the discussion on how you plan to prevent crime?

If you place surveillance cameras in areas affected by crime/ violence and do not place employment, opportunities, resources in those same areas you are doing no more than rounding people up as cattle and milking the County of Sacramento of Social services programs. The City of Sacramento will become a contributing factor in the County of Sacramento taking away programs, services, opportunites for the needy to fund Sheriff, District Attorney, Probation, Courts.

Your surveillance cameras will aid in the County budgets being monopolized with suppression rather than services for the mentally ill, poor, and needy.

Do you plan on planting seeds of empowerment in the same areas you plan on weeding out people with cameras for incarceration? In the May 28, 2009 SN&R 'Surveillance City' article, SPD Sgt Norm Leong stated, "It’s free money, why wouldn’t you take it?” Is that why cameras are gong up because it's free money?

Are you looking at money or looking at the people affected/ imposed to crime? When will you look at life, freedom, prevention verses grants and money for suppression? Have City residents, affected/ exposed to crime, become a Sacramento City Commodity?

Cities have received Homeland security grants for over 6 years (http://www.newsreview.com/chico/content?oid=31334 ) have you spoken with the cities and asked how or if the surveillance cameras reduced crime or were you just looking at money and not the people?

Many of us know you value grants but when will you value LIFE and FREEDOM for city youth?

I hope you can or will answer the questions listed in this letter at the next city council session.

Related articles on Homeland security grants:
http://www.newsreview.com/reno/content?oid=42502 Homeland Pork

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=998297 Surveillance City
"The ALCU has for years produced studies showing that surveillance cameras don’t prevent crime. In fact, according to an ACLU survey of crime statistics in San Francisco, crime actually increased overall at locations where public-surveillance cameras were installed."

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/snog/blogs?date=2009-09-01 City Council Humors ACLU but won't slow down on Surveillance Scheme

No Rest for the Weary

2010-09-28T22:13:08Z

This morning I woke up determined to have a good day. But I guess that was not suppose to happen.

I left to drive my son to school. We stopped on the way to pick up one of his classmates. We sang with the music on the radio and laughed and talked. Everything was nice.

I drove home and decided to clean out my car. It was peaceful on my street. Everything seem so nice.

I called a co-worker to see if she could work for me today. I decided to go shopping and then come home and wash clothes, cook dinner and basically relax the rest of the night.

I sang as I headed off to the store. When I arrived in the store I received a call from a relative. I answered the phone and heard the words, "Rhonda the police are at your house." I replied, "What? Why, would they be at my house?'

He went on to say, "I came to get my mom's truck when I got out the car they rushed me. They were in a Black car with tinted windows. I was caught off guard. They told me who they were looking for and I told them I'm not him. They left no card, no note on the door. It was crazy. Ain't he a minor? They weren't even looking or asking for you, his parent."

I called my sons phone several times and their was no answer so I drove to his school. My son told me "I have no idea why they'd be looking for me. Maybe it has to do with the complaint at the light rail."

I came home and called the police 264-5151 emergency line. I informed the operator that a relative of mine and my neighbor has informed me Sacramento Police Officers were at my house looking for my son.".

She asked me for my address and I told her. She said, "Yes, we do show officers were at your house but I don't know why. Can I have your number and I will have the police officer call you." I gave her my number and I waited. I was no longer having a nice day

The officer called me. He asked, "Who told you we were at your house?" I told him, "the relative you spoke to and a neighbor."

He said, ":Yes, we were there. We wanted to talk to your son. He's not on Probation or Parole so we didn't leave anything. We just left " I asked, "Why do you need to talk to him?"

What the officer then said blew me away. What the heck is going on in Sacramento?

The officer stated, "We have word that he is affiliated with a gang?" I asked, "What? What gang?"

The officer stated, "And we want to talk to him regarding a recent gang-related shooting."

I asked, 'what shooting?'' The officer then began to tell me of the gangs, 'FAB, GMOB, BAY" Then he begin to tell me what the initials of the gangs stood for. I told him, 'I know what the initials stand for? So which one is he suppose to be affiliated with surely not all of them...and none of them are in this area"

The officer said he didn't know which one he is suppose to be affiliated with. I explained to him "that's because he's not affiliated with any of them' I then asked him how did he get my son's name. He said, "from gang detectives." I asked "Which gang detectives?" He did not know or didn't want to tell me.

Since he did not have the answers, just an officer knocking on doors and running up on people stopping by my house; I asked him the name of the gang detectives and a number to reach them since he came to my house based on information he says was given to him by the gang detectives.

The information he claimed to have, the information he provided me wasn't enough to come to my house to look for or question my son.

I asked the officer which shooting? All the time I've lived here, called when I heard gunshots and no one responded, I wanted to know what shooting would cause them to knock on doors, shake things up, see what they can get....

The officer told me they are looking for leads, suspect for the second Saturday shooting.

I AM ANGRY. My son was home when that shooting occurred. I was home with him.

The officer said, "We are seeing what we can drum up, looking for leads, shaking doors see what happens."

I want the person responsible for taking the life held responsible and accountable.

But for goodness sake Sacramento Police can't go around drumming, shakin down youth who are not involved. They can't go around labeling youth gang members, gang affiliates so they can see what happens.

My son has not gotten over the September 22, 2010 incident with Sacramento Police officers and turn around and have to deal with this.

I guess this is life in Sacramento under Kevin Johnson's leadership. To heck with Civil, Constitutional Rights. In Sacramento Civil, human rights are blowin in the Wind, in the City of Trees.

I'm glad officers are looking for the suspect. But I'd appreciate it if they do a little thing called investigation and knock on the doors of the suspects and not continue to treat all our youth like suspects.

Words can not describe how angry I am so I will end now and take it back up at City Hall tonight.

It seems their is no rest for the weary.

Sacramento Protects and Serves Business not all Youth- Part 2

2010-09-26T23:49:21Z

(Please see Part 1)

In front of me, the officer continued to make my son feel like crap, like less than a human being. And my anger grew. The officer told me he will talk to me but not my son, not in the presence of my son and for my son to stand back and he and I could walk away and speak.

I should have turned and walked away at that moment. But instead I wanted to give the officer the benefit of the doubt. I walked away from my son to hear the officers explanation. The look in my sons eyes haunt me as I write this, I could see his pain was compounded.

I believe the officer could not justify his actions and somewhere in that uniform he couldn't face my son telling me the truth in front of him. My son had no problem telling me what occurred in front of the officer.

One of the officers on the scene told me my son was given a ticket. My son kept saying, "Mom, he told me about the ticket but never gave it to me." Several times I asked the officer for the ticket. He said, "Get it from your son" I told him my son doesn't have it." He stated, "He has it. That's between you and your son. Once it leaves my hands that's too bad what he does with it."

I asked another officer to ask the officer to check his tickets to see if by mistake he thought he gave it to my son since so many Black kids were getting tickets at that light rail." The officer checked his tickets and said he didn't have my son's copy.

Fed up with the officer and his attitude I asked him to show me the ticket that my son signed. I explained I don't want to get a failure to appear. I don't want a warrant. I want to know the charges. The officer hesitated and then attempted to go through the tickets.

From where I was standing I could see all but one ticket had a white back copy. I asked to see the only ticket with the pink copy still attached. He hesitated and still insisted my son has the ticket. I leaned towards the officers window and I could see the ticket with my son's name. It was the one with the pink copy still attached. I told the officer, "I want you to show me that ticket, with the pink copy, with my son's name on it." The officer then stated, "Well what do you know" and gave us the ticket at that point"

September 22, after going through the pages of deceitful discovery of my oldest sons case and the deceit of the SPD officer at the light rail station towards my youngest son my patience was thin. All the pain has taken a toll on me. My last comment to the officer, "I see now, you are a liar. If you can't tell the truth here today how can we expect you to tell the truth on a witness stand? How can we expect you to write truthful accurate police reports? You are an officer and I am learning their are several, who can't be trusted."

A woman came up to me and stated, "It's okay. You should be glad at least they let him go." Why should I be glad they let him go when they never should have detained him the first place? Why should I "be glad" he was given freedom by an officer when he has a right to freedom?

It's hard out here for a Sacramento youth. I'm told many of our youth had their spirits broken at 2nd Saturdays, rounded up as cattle and given tickets. I saw many have their spirits broken at the light rail. It seems everywhere they go they will be run off as the city which alleges to work for everyone works to shift the youth around away to make room for businesses or others to profit.

Regarding the 2nd Saturday's shooting/killing, our Mayor and I'm sure it wasn't his intention, sent a message that the city of Sacramento doesn't care if you die just don't die where businesses can be affected.

A message is sent with the chaos at the light rail station is don't delay, don't stand here where state, county, federal workers may ride the light rail home from work at this hour when they need to exit the light rail to leave in their cars. Go across the street and stand. We're not here for your safety; We're here to protect the business of the light rail.

It appears, in Sacramento, Law enforcement is used to Protect and Serve Sacramento Businesses. And perhaps we should refer to it as Business/ law enforcement since it appears many are looking at preserving businesses and not looking at preserving our youth.

The enforcement tactics/ strategies we are seeing have not reduced crime nor do we feel they're designed to reduce crime. Perhaps they are serving their intended purposes. Perhaps they are designed with the purpose of preserving and increasing the business community.

The pain many are experiencing is compounded when so many want to go to and question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. And so few want to go to the unprotected--those, precisely, who need the law's protection most!--and listen to their testimony.

And finally, the Saturday September 25th Office of the Mayor, Council member Steve Cohn Community Forum Discussing Midtown Nightlife did not have one youth on the Panel. In regards to youth / violence comments were handpicked by the panel; filtered by those on the law enforcement panel.

I have much respect for Council member Cohn for paying respect to the victim. I have no respect for Mayor Johnson who was not in attendance. It was mentioned his right-hand man, R.E. Graswich, is in attendance. But heck, that doesn't do us any good. I still haven't found out exactly what he was hired to do. I thought it was work with the community but I wonder which community since he doesn't appear to be working with mine, the community divided between victims, suspects and police abuse.

The meeting was facilitated by a woman from the business community who appeared really nice and sweet; until after the meeting when I simply asked her, "Who decided which comments would be read?" In essence it was the blind leading the blind and catering to many on the panel.

And what makes matters worse I did not see a representative from any civil rights organizations in attendance at the meeting as many Sacramento Teens and Youth aren't climbing a crystal stair.

In the Spirit of love, truth and some anger

Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: Mother of three: One girl and two boys. Two of my children my oldest and youngest have never been on probation, parole, in jail or prison. I fight for my middle child, in a California State Prison, to know freedom, as he is graced by God to keep climbin, when life for him ain't been no crystal stair.

I am the mother of a son who I now fight to keep alive, keep free, and not have his spirit broken in a city negligent in protecting our children. I am a mother, by the Grace of God, who will not sit down on these steps of injustice, pain, deceit, trickery because I find it's kind of hard to get so many, including our mayor, to look at our youth where life for them, in Sacramento, ain't been no crystal stair.

It's not a business for me. And it's now very personal as I watch my younger son experience the pain my older son experienced. I am directly affected and exposed to both the violence and the deceit of many. I am a mother of two unprotected sons. Full disclosure: I am so very angry in labor trying to give life and freedom to our children through repetitious painful contractions and prayers that one day this city will give birth-- to resources, opportunity, employment, a better quality of Life for Sacramento area teens and youth

Sacramento Protects and Serves Business not all Youth- Part 1

2010-09-26T23:45:23Z

If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a country, one does not question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected--those, precisely, who need the law's protection most!--and listens to their testimony. James Baldwin

For many Sacramento residents life for us has not been a crystal stair. It's had many obstacles (tacks), set backs (splinters), disappointments (boards) and places where their seems to be no relief (no carpet on the floor) But we keep climbing. we keep trying, we keep living maintaining love and hope.

Each time my oldest sons appeal is denied I send him a letter writing, a quote from the "Mother to Son" poem from Langston Hughes, "I'se been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark where there ain't been no light. So, boy, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps. 'Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now. For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me (in your absence) ain't been no crystal stair."

On September 22, 2010, I sat in my home reading hundreds of pages of court transcripts, sent to me by my older son, in an effort to now move his appeal from the State Supreme court to the United States Eastern District federal court. The process to get to federal court has been both painful and exhausting.

We were told a couple years ago, we have to exhaust state remedies to have our case heard in federal court. We learned we'd have to exhaust ourselves learning to prepare our pleas since we can not afford $30,000 requested by appeal attorneys.

I believe my middle child is alive, by the Grace of God, as an answer to my prayers, tears, pain of trying and fighting to keep him alive as youth attempted to take his life. I believe in my heart our prayer for relief and freedom will be granted in Federal Court. I don't believe his life was spared to live a life suffocating in a California State Prison.

I believe we can pray and wait; or pray and labor. I believe it depends on the prayer; "Give a man a fish he can eat for a day; Teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime." Our prayer is not to live for a day and then die a premature death; but a prayer to live for a mature lifetime.

I believe my son returning home will be a blessing from God with an armor of protection. I believe when God gives us blessings we are to use those blessings to bless someone else. I believe in a quote by Benjamin Disrael, "Justice is truth in action" I believe Justice in the State Court can be blind and deaf . But heck, that's why we have federal courts and appeals. I believe what's done in the dark will come to light.

Sacramento's criminal justice system has been hijacked by many pirates. Heck, their are some who aren't deserving of law degrees but deserving of Academy, Oscar and Emmy awards.

I learned, during my son's trial, if you seek truth you might want to stay away from a courtroom. Sacramento courts can be a beast and at times the belly of deceit and trickery. Not to mention extremely painful for all. Heck, it's structured where only the strong survive. My son was weak. I'm thankful that now he is learning to be strong.

Quite frankly, many of us are are not feeling so protected. We find comfort in knowing; We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens us. At times we have to pass through the storm to see the beauty of the rainbow. Every time we are knocked down with the punches thrown at us we have to get back up from our prayers and sometimes get up to fight to clear the Sky's from the clouds of deceit.

Each appeal denial, 1) 3rd district denial of direct appeal, 2) Supreme court denial of the Petition to Review, 3) 3rd District Court denial of the State habeas, 4) our latest denial, the September 16, 2010 Habeas Corpus denial in the Supreme court; was a slap in the face. But it's a slap; we were not knocked down. We are able and determined to advance our pleas to a higher court.

Some might see the higher court as the Federal Court. In fact all the books I read while preparing the appeal informed us our objective would be to get to federal court and suggested or rather warned us all other appeals will be denied.

When you're among the unprotected, you must walk by faith and not by sight. Who really protects the poor? The only protection I have found is in God. I believe the highest court in all the earth is the Court where our Creator is the judge, jury and the witness that will guarantee and provide fair and equal representation. In the highest court their is no lies, no games, no deceit, no false reports, no courtroom theatrical performances to advance a career or build a case.

Sacramento, contrary to our Mayor Kevin Johnson's pretentious slogan, is definitely not a city that works for everyone. In fact many youth of this city are fighting to live and many more living to die either on our streets or become the walking dead in a California State Prison.

Equally concerning is the fact many of our youth are having their spirits, their smiles, their peaceful-nature- swagger assassinated in a city that looks at money and not at the quality of life- or lack thereof - of many of its young people.

September 22, 2010 as I attempted to rest after the painful contraction of working on my older son's appeal. I was hit with the painful contraction of what my youngest son just experienced.

My neighbor knocked on my door and informed me my son couldn't reach me and called her to pick him up across the street from the light rail where the police had dropped him off. I asked, "Why wouldn't the police bring him to my home? Why or what is the purpose of dropping him off across the street from the light rail" She stated, "I have no idea. The officer wouldn't even talk to me when I went to ask him what happened."

My son was angry. He was hurt. His wrist were bruised. His smile was gone. His eyes showed the reminiscence of abuse. He stated, "Mom, why didn't you answer the phone. I called 13 times." I told him I never heard the phone. I left it in the car after I took him to school."

My son, then proceeded to tell me what just occur, September 22, at the Florin Road light rail station. (below is what my son says occured. The officer's name is on the copy to be sent to the Office of Public Safety and Accountability complaint I am filing on behalf of my son)

"A couple of friends and I were at the Florin Light rail Station waiting for the light rail to come. We had only been there for less than twenty minutes and the regional transit police were checking for ID's and bus cards. An officer approached us not in a kindly matter and asked us if we are on parole or probation. After everybody said no he told us " if your not waiting for the light rail we have to leave." I said " I'm waiting for the light rail" but he either ignored me or didn't hear me because he didn't respond.

One of my friends gets mad and tells him we just got here and why are we gettin kicked off. So as we were leaving the officer says " yeah that's right walk away like some bitches, all you punks are scared, scared of me that's why you keep on walking and talking punks!" I instantly turn around and replied " I'm not scared of you just because you have that badge doesn't make me scared of you" he came towards me and told me to say it again. So I said " JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THAT BADGE DON'T MEAN I'M SCARED OF YOU. I'M NOT A CHILD SO IF YOU WANT ME TO LEAVE TALK TO ME LIKE I'M A MAN." he said " oh you think your Mr. bad ass why don't you stop and say it. So I stopped and told him, " I'm not Mr. bad ass I'm just saying if you want me to leave don't call me no bitch and act like you punkin me talk to me like a man. He had gotten frustrated because by this time I was the one person standing up to him.

He demanded me to pull out my I.D., I said " no, you told me to leave so I'm leaving." I should of gave it to him when he first asked but I was mad at him for talking to me like a dog when I wasn't doing anything but waiting on the light rail. He replied " give me your I.D. or else I'll have you detained. I tried to walk faster, he started speeding up and said put your hands behind your back. I said " here man" and pulled out my wallet, he yelled " no put your hands behind your back right now or else I'll have you arrested for resisting arrest!" Then he handcuffed me.

I said " I didn't even do anything to get arrested so what am i resisting?" he replied, "I'll have you arrested for loitering." so he searched me. I didn't tell this officer he couldn't search me because the last officer I told "you can't search me. I'm not on probation or parole" they got mad and threw me to the ground with my mouth in the dirt.

The officer kept talking down to me and walked me to the police car. as we were walking off he was saying "you want to act out in front of your friends like your the shit now your getting arrested and they aren't dumb fuck." I said, "I'm not dumb I know my rights and you cant just arrest me for waiting for the light rail that's dumb." he told me to shut up and tried to put me in the police car. As I was getting in I told him to hold up because it was hard for me to squeeze in.

He took my thumb and forcefully bent it backwards and said "you don't tell me when to hold on!" he had it bent until I was in the car all the way. My thumb started throbbing and then begun to numb for the rest of the day. When he got in the car his attitude changed even worse so much to where now he was screaming at me , saying I was nothing in life , and I'm going to be in prison when I'm older because of my mouth. I said "you don't know even know me!" He replied, and you don't know me. This is my house! You don't come to my house disrespecting I run this!" while he was circling the Light rail Station with his finger. After that I had nothing else to say, i just kept quiet because words couldn't describe how mad I was. He asked me my age and I didn't answer. He said " look at you, you not Mr.bad ass now. you not talkin shit" I said 17.

He then left the car for awhile then came back and drove me to the end of the parking lot. He got out and opened my door, and as I was getting out he said " No I didn't tell you to move. You move when I tell you to move." so I had to get back in the car and listen to him talk about the ticket and talk down to me. I said how did I get a ticket for delaying at the light rail station if I was waiting for the light rail. He just shrugged and said "your not getting the bus card back here's your sticker leave the light rail. "

I left the light rail with scars on my wrist and possibly a sprained thumb. It still hurts. This is the 7th time I've been stopped by the police and searched and I am not on probation. I never stood up for myself until this time. I am tired of being treated like this and searched and talked to like an animal by the police. Once my face and mouth was thrown in the dirt. Another time another officer got in my face and yelled at me calling me a gang member and I'm not a gang member and saying I am going to prison just like this one did. If I don't say anything they get in my face and yell and scream, cuss at me. They never call my mother when they do it. They treat me like this then let me go. This officer told my mother he gave me the ticket and I was not telling the truth and he did not give me the ticket and lied and said he did. "

I explained to my 17yr old son where and how he was wrong. We went to the light rail so I could hear the officers side and perhaps explain to the middle aged adult how he too was wrong.

(Please see Part 2)

Mayor Johnson doing a Drive By as our Children Die- Part I

2010-09-08T18:53:30Z

This article is written with hopes that Mayor Johnson will drive his newly purchased $51,000 tax-payer Black SUV to the Intersection of Life and Freedom for Sacramento area youth. We are fed up with our Mayor driving by our pain and suffering.

As it currently stands our Mayor drives through the city with his tax-payer paid tinted windows like Mr Magoo shielding just himself as youth life and youth Freedom blows in the wind in the city of Trees. Sacramento has a Mayor who can't seem to see the forest (our youth) through the trees. He is constantly distracted with his own desires, wants and self promotion. When will he promote Life and Freedom?

On August 29, 2010 Alonzo Haynes, 23yrs young, was shot. His Black SUV came to a halt and he died. Two are facing charges of murder in Sacramento Superior Court. One suspect is 22yrs young.

What is our Mayor doing? He's not sacrifacing. He's dismissing the pain and suffering of many within the Sacramento community as he rides around in his $51,000 dollar newly paid for by tax-payers Black SUV with tinted windows with police bodyguards in a city in deficit.

Many Sacramento residents are losing their jobs. Sacramento teens/ youth lose their life, freedom, hope and some are losing their minds. But our celebrity mayor makes no sacrifcaes. Our community centers are closing, many from Parks and Recreations have lost their jobs. Our Office of Youth Development no longer exists. The city is in deficit. Hundreds of Sacramento city teens/youth have died and hundreds more have left Sacramento to become the walking dead in a California State Prison.

Our Mayor who holds weekly press conferences but hasn't held one press conference to address the violence plaguing this city nor has he reached out to the community affected by and exposed to the violence.

On our Mayor's blog in big bold words are 'Progress happens, problems are solved and businss flouish." When will we see our Youth flourish? Written on his blog are the words, 'Bank on Sacramento, everyone is welcome." When will a community divided into youth victims and youth suspects feel welcome to live and breath in a city where neighborhoods have the aroma of constant death?

On our Mayors blog are the words, 'Stand up with Kevin. A city that works for everyone." Many of us can't stand up we are falling to our knees in pain as our youth are falling, shot down lifeless, gunshot wounds to the head, neck, back, chest, a premature death.

On our Mayors blog our governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, writes, 'I love this guy. Great, great enthusiasm and he's alwasy been a great leader and believed in children and educaiton." Our Governor turned a blind eye and deaf ear to our cries just as our Mayor continues to brury his head in the sand as our children die. Our mayor believes in education because it promotes him.

Surely if Mayor Johnson loved our children and showed great, great enthusiasm he would address the youth deaths and arrests mounting in Sacramento, the City Time Magazine once voted as the best place to raise a family. Hundreds of us can't raise our children from the dead and Hundreds more can not afford the costs to visit our children leaving Sacramento ---not college bound but prison bound ---to be raised in a California state prison.

Our celbrity Mayor who could have / should have purchased his own $51,000 SUV claims he will put Sacramento on the Map and make Sacramento a world class city. How? By ignoring the fact our chldren are dying? By dismissing the fact our children are walking zombies in a post tramatic psychological frozen state and many more are becoming the walking dead? Too many of our children are not walking across graduation stages. Instead they are walking across prison yards or lying 6 feet in the ground in a casket covered in dirt- dead.

We have officials, especially our Mayor, who would rather ignorantly shift crime than prevent crime. Instead of addressing youth violence prevention our Mayor continuously looks for suppression and hire more officers. He'll saturate one area, folks will move to another area and the violence becomes a cancerous polyop spreading throughout the city.

A 26yr old Woman, mother of 3, is killed on September 4, 2010 on Florin and Power Inn. Sergeant Tim Curran states, in a recent Sac Bee article, 'We learned the gas station is a gatheing spot.". What the heck? Surely, they didn't just learn it was a gathering spot? That area is not a stranger to violence and you can't possibly work in law enforcement and not know of the consistent violence throughout that area over the years.

Heck, I recall an 18yr old boy shot eighteen times in 2006 on Florin Road and Power Inn. His father said, ''bullets were even in my sons groin." I recall 26yr old Mother of 3 who just gave birth to twins was shot and killed in the same area a couple years ago. Heck, less than 2 blocks away I recall 5 were shot and 3 died at the nearby grocery store in 2005.

In that same area in July 2010 21yr old was shot and killed. An 18yr old is facing charges of murder. Our Mayors response has continuously been "we need more officers.'

In July 2010, a 19yr old youth was convicted of the murder of a Sheriff deputy. The boy was 16yrs old when arrested for the murder. On the day of that shooting an entire neighborhood was saturated, blocked off, closed down as every branch of law enforcement saturaged the area to find the 16yr old suspect. Their were so many officers from so many different branches of law enforcement arriving within minutes of the deputy being shot that many officers had to be told not to come to the area.

With all the officers closing down the area, the 16yr old suspect left the area on the light rail. I sat on the lightrail as the boy and a girl walked on. They sat directly in front off me. The boy was nervous, scared and the girl held him. I got off on Florin Road and they took the lightrail to Meadowview. What happened to the youth center that was suppose to be placed in honor of the murdered deputy? It seems the community affected and exposed to violence continuously receives propaganda verses solutions into preventing violence.

Yesterday I contacted the District Attorney's Office, Sacramento Public Defenders Office, Master Calendar of Superior Court and attempted to contact the Criminal Indigent Defense Panel to get the number of teens and youth currently facing charges of Murder in Sacramento. No one has yet called me back with the information I requested. No one I spoke with knew the answer of how many Sacramento youth are facing charges of murder. Their is no record, no data, no statistics, no evidence based, research based, scieftifica base study for us to prevent the deaths or the arrests leading to the deaths of our children.

Recently twleve boys and girls were arrested and charged with the murder of a 15yr old. I am told eight were arrested and charged with the murder of a 17yr old. I learned three are arrested and charged with the murder of an 18yr old. Five were arrested and charged with anothe murder. Two are shot, one dies, five arrested, three are shot five arrested, two die, it goes on and on and the violence continues, the pain continues, our cries echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another. If I don't receive the information I requested I will submit Part II (Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse) without it.

The next time Mayor Johnson holds a press ocnference perhaps he can tell us of the number of deaths and arrest of area youth and his plans to address the violence plaguing this city. In fact, I am requesting, our mayor give a press conference each month informing the residents of Sacramnto of the number of deaths and arrests of Sacramento area residents. I am requesting comprehensive evidence based, researched based, study each month of the locations of death, cause, and solutins

Perhaps now, Mayor Johnson will drive his tax-payer SUV to the interception of Life and Freedom on the corner of mounting pain and suffering to address youth violence. Perhaps now he won't ride in his Black tinted windows SUV doing a drive by- ignoring and dismissing the loss of life and loss of freedom of many Sacramento area teens and youth.

But I won't hold my breath, I will probably end up like so many of Sacramento area youth--lying breathless as our Mayor drives by like Mister Magoo as youth are dying and becoming the walking dead headed off to prison.

A community divided into victims and suspects is fed up with Mayor Johnson doing a drive by as our children die on Sacramento streets and becoming the walking dead in California prisons.

Rhonda Erwin

I want to add I contacted our Mayors office weeks ago for an appointment to discuss youth violence. I was told I could meet with him in Octover at the Pannel Center for an open house. But I will now respectfully deline that offer, when I meet with the mayor on a matter of this magnitude I want his undivided attention. There is no excuse for our Mayors ignorance in addressing youth violence-- too many of Sacramento's youngest residents, our children, are dying and far more of Sacramento's youngest residents, our children, are sentenced to live and die in a California State Prison.

Moving Public Session is Unfair to those Elected Officials Use to Build their Careers

2010-08-21T18:29:25Z

Initially I wasn't moved by the fact the City Council moved the public comment section of council meetings. I wasn't moved because selfishly I welcomed the change since it will allow me to again have the opportunity to speak when I am overwhelmed and need to voice my concerns.

As it is now, due to my schedule, I no longer can attend the first half of the council session and will miss the public speaking on matters not on the agenda. But with the change, if I miss speaking regarding an item on the agenda I can now attend and speak at the end of the session. If I am overwhelmed with a concern not on the agenda I can now make it in time to have a voice.

But to not be selfish and since I don't view the concerns I have as more pressing than the concerns of others who attend; I am moved to write this opinion piece.

I think moving the public comment section to the end of the agenda is quite unfair and disrespects the people elected officials often use to build their own political careers.

The decision should be based on what's good for the people and not on what's convenient for the council. A council who by the way is paid to sit through the sessions while those who come out and speak are often not paid to do so.

I realize we can't please all the people all the time. But the decision to move the public comment section should be based on what's good for a majority of the people that the eight council members and the Mayor of the City are elected to represent. If it's best for the majority of the people to attend at the beginning then public comment should be first.

Lots of us can't watch the session on cable. Some of us can't afford cable. Lots of us can't watch the session or email from the Internet. Many of us don't have computers or Internet.

Some of us rely on the news media to inform us on what occurs at council sessions. Some of us, plain ordinary common folks, aren't always seen by the news media when special interest and some folks with titles appear as some in the media, just like some elected into office, are more impressed with special interest and titles. We have to come out and let the elected officials see us.

Many of us have to actually attend the sessions to actually see and learn how the city is reacting or not reacting to the needs of the people; especially the needy or those in the city in pain, suffering and overlooked by some of our elected officials.

Some don't have to attend to be seen and heard. And then their are some of us who really want to know what is occurring in the city or make a difference whether slight or major we have to actually be in attendance at council sessions. In this city closed mouths may not get fed.

Some of us can't rely on reporters in the streets narrowing down their stories on all of our concerns, some of our worries, suggestions or giving all of us a voice.

Honestly, it appears in Sacramento many city leaders aren't showing concern for the people of the city but appear to show concern for the media. It appears some elected officials don't want the media to portray them in a negative light. They don't appear afraid or us- the little folks- they appear afraid of the media and how it can ruin or promote their political career.

My guess is if the media were to only attend at the end of the city session then the public comment would still be first on the city council session agenda.

Heck, if we want the sessions to not last so long it's not the public who should be given less time to speak but the Mayor and Council should be given less time on matters where the media shows up in full force regarding a specific agenda.

It often appears the Mayor and Council aren't watching us- the little guy- they appear to be watching the media.

It appears just as we- the people- want to be seen by the elected officials sworn into office to represent us, let's keep it real, many of those elected officials aren't looking at us, they look and want to be looked at by the media.

If we have concerns, pain, frustration, suggestions we should do our best to attend council sessions no matter when the public comment is put on the agenda. Some of our pain will probably never be put on a city agenda. But out of sight is out of mind.

If at first we don't succeed in letting our voices, struggles, pain be heard then we should by all means try and try again- and attend until we are seen and heard and solutions are in play.

Personally I don't feel enough has been done on issues I attend the council to speak of. But in attending I have found a peace and sometimes a sense of satisfaction looking in the eyes of those I question, disagree with or that I am impressed with. Most of all in attending I've found a sense of hope that change will come. Whether that change is in the council or in we the people I see hope.

Many of us need to see hope when we see so little change and surrounded by so much paiin.

If I were not able to have a voice I would drown in the sorrow and pain that I am surrounded by as many of us will live and prematurely die in a city neglectful of all of our needs.

Whether I am given time at the beginning or the end of the session whether or not I am given three minutes or two minutes the fact is for a moment I stood, straight and firm as tremendous pain exits from my gut and out of my mouth to fill out into a room. And in that moment I don't see the council. I don't see the media. I see by the Grace of God,--HOPE.

But sadly, let's keep it real, we in Sacramento who have concerns shouldn't feel concerned of when we are allowed to bring public comment to our elected officials who are put into office to represent us. We should feel concern of the fact that many of our elected officials in attempts to promote their political careers appear more concerned with how the media will promote them.

We should be concerned of elected officials who appear to not work for us but work to impress the media.

Heck, it appears often in Sacramento some of us shouldn't even attend council sessions to get the attention of the council but attend to get the attention of the media. Perhaps we need to meet with reporters verses meeting with elected officials.

Sadly, if we get the attention of the media we'll find we'll have the attention of the Mayor and Council.

My suggestion and I am being sarcastic and keeping it real, if you have a great concern and can't seem to find the ear of your council member or our mayor then my suggestion would be write about it, get the attention of the media and let your voice be heard.

We are in a city with elected officials not fearful of the City residents but fearful of the media. Sadly, whether we speak at the beginning or the end of council session it probably makes little difference to some elected officials.

The difference to the Mayor and some within the council is where the voice is coming from and if it comes from the media then your voice appears to be heard. Heck, the media can write of events occurring in other cities and other states and our Mayor and council will address it.

Folks, living in this city can attend our city council sessions and their voices, cries, frustration, suggestions will be overlooked if the media won't see them first .

But the priority of the city should always be the everyday common folks electing representatives into office. Our voices are not always on the agenda, due to special interest, therefore public comments should always come first.

After all it is many of us who will be overshadowed by the special interest politically motivated matters on the agenda of a Mayor and some within the council attempting to build their careers off the backs of the people suffering and in pain in our city.

I love the public comment of the Council Session. I love seeing real people with real concerns take a stand. In fact it is the most valued aspect of the Council session and whether or not I can personally attend, it should definitely be first on the agenda.

If elected officials are going to build their careers off our pain and struggles then we certainly should be given the opportunity to feel valued, welcomed, to voice our concerns first at city council sessions.

National Day of Action to Silence The Violence - Saturday July 24, 2010

2010-07-19T08:08:47Z

The Mike B Foundation will join the call to "Silence the Violence" to call for an end to gun violence in Sacramento.

Sacramento, Ca (July 24, 2010) On Saturday, July 24th, The Mike B Foundation will host the "Silence the Violence, National Day of Action in Sacramento to call for an end to the violence that plagues Sacramento streets. The activities will start at 10am at 4124 - 4542 Florin Road at the corner of Franklin Blvd, Sacramento.

One of the objectives is to allow the community to take steps towards healing and come together in an effort to bring peace to our streets. The event is held in honor of those lost to violence and will allow opportunites to work together for a better community.

We all have to come together and take responsibility for the crisis of violence in our streets. We have lost too many of our people to senseless violence. It's time for us to take action and inspire others to make a change.

This event is being held with support from the following organizations: Urban Peace Movement, Krazy Sac Ladz, Oak Park Outreach Services, BFG Street Team, and Parents of Murdered Children.

WHAT: Silence the Violence National Day of Action

WHERE: 10AM TO 2PM at Florin Road (corner of Franklin Blvd, old Wal- mart parking lot)

WHEN: July 24, 2010

WHO: Shirley Rhodes, The Mike B Foundation

Families who've lost loved ones to violence

Soul Hustle

Diplomatz

Blue Diamonds

Restoration Church Praise Team

For additional information please contact Shirley Rhodes at (916) 429-2580 or email at srhodes@themikebfoundation.com

Disclosure: The above is from a press release I received regarding the event. I know Shirley Rhodes and have attended numerous youth violence meetings with her. I respect and appreciate her efforts. Shirley's son, Michael Barron, was murdered and she continuously labors to address youth violence. I have great respect for Ms Rhodes as she address youth violence in the Spirit of Love working with all her heart to prevent more deaths and arrest for Sacramento area youth.

Please attend or spread the news of the event to show support to the families who have lost a loved one due to youth violence. This will be an annual event. This is the first year Sacramento has participated in the Urban Peace Movement Silence the Violence forum and it is our hope that the event will grow each year.

We would like to show the youth their lives are valued and to value the lives of everyone including those just like themselves. All too often the victim and the suspect are of the same ethnic, social and economic background. The pain associated with the violence affects so many Sacramento area residents of all walks of life, going beyond ethnic and economic boundaries.

A part of our Sacramento community is divided into victims and suspects. A community sits divided in cemetaries, funerals, memorials, jails, prisons and courts. This is an effort to show the youth their similaries outweigh any differences which causes some of the violence.

In the words of Dr King, 'We are all woven from the same garment what affects one of us directly affects all of us indirectly." In the words of Haile Selassie, "Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph."

The event is held in County Supervisor Jimmie Yee's district. The County has taken, in my opinion, little effort to address the violence plaguing the county of Sacramento. Recently several youth were shot and died in the county of Sacramento.

The City of Sacramento has also recently lost several youth. Hundreds have died in both the city and county of Sacramento. It would be nice to see both officials from the city and county of Sacramento reach out to the families who have lost a loved one to violence and support the National Day of Action to Silence the Violence.

Whether or not this event is supported by our elected officials Sacramento families who have lost a loved one to violence will come together each year to bring awareness, attention and search for solutions to prevent the deaths of Sacramento area youth.

For additional information on the Mike B Foundation visit: www.themikebfoundation.com

For additional information on the Urban Peace Movement visit: http://urbanpeacemovement.org/national-day-of-action . The Urban Peace Movement “helps young people spread the message of urban peace. / http://urbanpeacemovement.org

The Ella Baker Center has divided their time and energy from systematic change to individual transformation. The Ella Baker Center has held many events which include ‘Mother Morning/ Mourning’ to heal the streets http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=75 and they have now joined the Urban Peace Movement. http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=1

Thank you and In the Spirit of Love

Rhonda Erwin

An Open Letter to Mayor Johnson

2010-07-08T18:02:36Z

Mayor Johnson

July, a month celebrated for Independence and Freedom has become tragic for many Sacramento residents. As you look to gain more power community residents wonder if you are taking some time to look at a crisis of youth violence existing in Sacramento? If so, other than providing more after-the-crime occurs officers on our street what if any plans do you have to prevent youth violence? Do you have any plans to assist in a community taking steps towards healing from the aftermath of death.

We do appreciate the presence of law enforcement officers. We are not making light of their efforts. However, many of us see law enforcement as a crime deterrent and not necessarily a solution to prevent crime.

Within four days six area youth were shot. Mayor Johnson, I know I don't have to provide you with a list of Sacramento daily crime since SPD does provide you and the council with a daily report. Since it appears you don't feel the need to address this issue with the community; I decided to write you this open letter.

The follow list does not include the car jackings, home invasions, robberies, sexual assaults which have occurred in the month of July in the city of Sacramento. However, those crimes are also important . Considering the crime, pain and suffering which exists in the city of Sacramento it would seem our mayor should focus on crime verses an immediate need to change the city charter.

On June 30, 2010 I was assaulted as I took an evening walk. The following day I was standing in my front yard and heard massive sirens and my street was surrounding with police. My street was closed off as officers searched for a suspect. Officers went to one home and kicked down the door (unfortunately it wasn't the home where a suspect had fled to.)

A helicopter circled overhead. Sirens and police chase caused me to run into my home. I realize your obsession to place more officers on our streets but for some of us tired of the fear associated with sirens, helicopters and car chases we would like to see and know you at least will begin to look for efforts to prevent crime verses simply supplying more officers due to the demand of more crime often caused by the lack of opportunities, resources in neglected communities.

On July 2nd, there was a shooting on Janrick Avenue. Fortunately no one was injured as bullets went through a vehicle and house.

On July 2nd a boyfriend and girlfriend enjoying an evening at a City park on the 2000 block of Garden Highway were walking back to their vehicle, after being robbed, when a male suspect shot the victim in the leg.

On July 3rd, three youth argued with 6 subjects at a 14th and I street intersection. The victim pulled over and began to physically fight. A victim was hit in the head with a baseball bat, others were hit with fist and kicked.

On July 3rd, 2010 victim hears 6-8 gunshots fired and finds his car windows shot out.

On July 3rd, an assault on 69th Avenue leave several with minor stab wounds.

On July 4th, 2010, Dawayne Edward Douglas, 21yrs of age, was shot and killed on Florinda Way. An 18yr old has been arrested and charged with the homicide. Over 200 youth witnessed the chaos associated with a youth taking his last breath. The tragic death of Dawayne Douglas affects many city residents.

On July 4th, 2010 near Collingwood and Matson, blocks from my home, a motorist shot into a crowd celebrating Independence Day shooting two youth. The youth survived the injuries but the aftermath of being a victim of a shooting surrounds the community. Mayor Johnson all too often in Sacramento yesterdays victim has become tomorrows suspect as it appears our mayor will leave the wounds in the community to eventually and perhaps ineffectively heal itself.

On July 5, 2010 a 12yr old girl was shot when occupants of two cars exchanged gunfire in South Sacramento on the 4500 block of 77th street. Innocent victims are caught in the crossfire as gunshots continue to echo throughout the city and County of Sacramento.

On July 7, 2010, two youth were shot on 68th and Power Inn Road. Both gunshot victims survived their physical injuries but as with the victims of the July 4th and July 5th shooting their emotional and mental scars are not significantly addressed by our mayor.

In 2006 when a wave of youth shootings occurred, former mayor Fargo held a special council session at city hall to address youth violence. I don't recall seeing you in attendance at the townhall meetings or council sessions addressing youth violence prior to running for the office of Sacramento mayor, even though, as I recall, you openly and continuously criticized former mayor Fargo for Sacramento crime.

Perhaps you don't feel addressing youth violence is in your job description so I thought perhaps I should inform you previous mayors were concerned with youth and felt the solutions went beyond saturating the streets with Law enforcement. But then again, perhaps previous mayors weren't concerned with an immediate need to change the city charter and gain an endorsement from SPOA to do so and therefore found the time to address youth violence.

I realize two of the shootings as well as the 19yr old arrested for a fatal stabbing of a 39yr old on Hazel Avenue occurred in the County of Sacramento. However city residents are holding car washes in the city to bury a homicide victim. Friends and family members of the homicide victim live in the city of Sacramento. The list also does not include the July 2nd tragic death of a 54yr old man found dead in his home in the county of Sacramento.

It appears since you have the time and interest in addressing the plight of Arizona residents you could also address the plight of Sacramento county residents which affect many city residents, city hospitals, city morgues, city funeral homes, city churches... Mayor Johnson city residents are dying in the county of Sacramento and city residents are arrested and housed in juvenile and adult county facilities. So it would appear you'd have an interest in city and county youth violence.

Mayor Johnson, can you find the time to abandon your drive for more power and see our tears, hear our cries which echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another? City residents would appreciate a city and county wide task force or special council session to address the violence plaguing Sacramento.

It appears in Sacramento this Independence day freedom is blowin in the wind and away from the reach of many Sacramento area youth. We do expect the Mayor of the City to address this concern. If I'm not mistaken you ran your campaign on criticizing former mayor Fargo for the crime existing in Sacramento; so shouldn't you address crime? Or was your campaign just empty promises or propaganda to get into office? Is that the kind of change you want city residents to believe in?

Thank you
Rhonda Erwin, City resident
Youth Violence activist

An Open Letter to District 8 Councilmember Bonnie Pannell

2010-07-08T08:27:50Z

Councilmember Pannell

I received a phone voice message from Open Sacramento. I don't know how they received my phone number nor do I know how they received my email address. I never signed any attendance sheets for an event held by Open Sacramento that would contain my personal contact information.

When I sign in to speak at city council sessions I provide both my email and phone number. I hope that information is not shared with others. I do not like feeling strong armed into a Strong Mayor plan which I believe still has minimum community input.

The voice message states, " Hi, This message is for Rhonda. My name is Eli and I'm calling on behalf of Open Sacramento. If you're in support of the Strong Mayor Initiative we ask that you contact your councilmember Pannell and urge her to place the accountability plan of 2010 on the November ballot. We have emailed you contact information and we hope that you have the ability to do so."

Council member Pannell I also received the below email:

"Dear Supporter:

My name is Eli and I’m emailing on behalf of Open Sacramento.
Did you read today’s Sacramento Bee article, Johnson hasn’t given up on Sacramento strong-mayor proposal?
There is still a chance to qualify the Accountability Plan of 2010 for the November ballot. We just need five votes.
Please send an email to Council Member Bonnie Pannell. Here are some talking points:
- You have denied my right to vote
- Since government cannot reform itself, voters should have the right to vote on the Accountability Plan of 2010
- We need more accountability, efficiency and transparency at City Hall
- We have been discussing the issue for 18 months; we cannot afford to wait any longer
- You supported putting the plan on the ballot once; we need you to do it again
Email addresses are listed below.
Bonnie Pannel
bpannell@cityofsacramento.org

Thank you for your support,
Eli Rymland-Kelly
Open Sacramento
www.OpenSac.com

Council member Pannell, I am not a supporter of the SMI so I have no idea why I received an email beginning, "Dear Supporter...."

Councilmember Pannell you have not denied my right to vote. I appreciate you for protecting my right to transparency. I do not feel our Mayor is transparent in his reasoning for the Strong Mayor Plan. I also fail to see how it holds our Mayor Accountable when it appears our Mayor is not currently held accountable for overlooking the pain and struggles many city residents currently face as he strives for more power.

Councilmember Pannell, "we" (the community) have not discussed this issue for 18 months, as the email suggests, with those who constructed or designed the cleverly evasive plan. It is evasive since it fails to inform us what the Mayor can do with the new and improved power under a new form of government that he can't do under the current system. It fails to specifically inform us on how we can hold him accountable.

Council member Pannell the community should know exactly how the new plan will hold our Mayor accountable and how it will prevent him from skating through misconduct as he has in the past. Council member Pannell our mayor can and has afforded attorneys to not hold him accountable, appears to have difficulty in transparency and hasn't proven to be worthy of additional powers.

Our Mayor spent little time preparing for this devastating budget, which unfortuantely included many program cuts, as he sought out more power. Why would you vote to give him the power to develop a budget ?

I appreciate your vote against placing the plan on a ballot until their is comprehensive community discussion.

I am pleased with your outreach and hard work within the community I reside. Council member Pannell I read in the Sacramento Press, "Johnson said he is still encouraged and sees "a window of opportunity that three council members can change their perspectives." I hope that you are not one of the three council members our Mayor feels will change their perspectives.

I also hope we can close this window of power for our mayor and open a door for a better quality of life for residents with a council looking beyond strong power for our mayor to finally look at the people crying out for genuine change and not the status quo practiced by our Mayor of overlooking the cries, pleas and concerns of many city residents.

Council member Pannell you did not deny my right to vote as the email suggests. You protected my right for truth and transparency and I appreciate your sincere efforts.

It is my hope that you stand firm and true to your past decision to vote No on placing this agenda on the November ballot. I appreciate your hard work for District 8 and your ability to look, listen and hear the people.

It is unfortunate that our Mayor is so focused on more power as city families continue to bury their youth.

Today I passed a car wash, held in your District, where friends of family members of yet another Sacramento homicide victim were attempting to raise money to bury their loved one. Recently I was a victim of a crime. I do not appreciate the fact our Mayor is preoccupied with more power when youth are losing their lives.

I am impressed with the fact, that while our mayor ignores all else that matters towards the quality of life of many city residents, you are working overtime towards providing life and freedom opportunities for city residents.

Councilmember Pannell if necessary I will provide a list of homicide victims since our Mayor has taken office. I will provide a list of crimes occuring within the city of Sacramento since our mayor has taken office. I will provide a list of programs cut since our Mayor has taken office. I will show a need for the city of Sacramento to focus on more pressing issues than more power for our Mayor.

I can't see how our mayor having more power would have prevented the death of our youth nor the recent attack on myself. Thank you for your time on this matter and I hope you will Vote NO once again so that the City of Sacramento can move on to address issues which affect the residents of Sacramento.

I hope you will take a firm stand and allow city residents to get off the strong mayor treadmill our mayor has placed the city on as many of our youth are in crisis; fighting to live and living to die.

I am pleased to know that while our Mayor has not the time or energy to address our concerns that the councilmember we vote into office has the ability to look beyond the Mayor's quest for power and listen to our questions, see our needs and concerns.

It is my hope and prayers that you continue to look at the residents of your district and not the strong arm tactics of special interests and our politics as usual- status quo- nothing has changed-Mayor.

I ask that you again Vote NO and please forward this letter to our Mayor and fellow council members.

Thank you

Rhonda Erwin

Resident of District 8 watching our Mayor as our Mayor turns a blind eye and deaf ear to our concerns as he looks for more power.

Caution Evening Walkers--Beware

2010-07-01T19:30:19Z

Caution evening walkers-- Beware

I generally like to walk in the evening when it is cool and quiet. All week I’ve walked without an unpleasant incident. I smile and wave at others who are walking and sometimes I see people I haven’t seen in ages that I went to school with.

I enjoy walking it relieves my stress. I listen to my oldies, sing along and enjoy the night air.

As I walked down Florin Road headed home I had an unsettling feeling. I felt something would go wrong.

I left my home an hour later than usual so it was 9:50pm as I came near 24th street. I was approximately 20 minutes from home.

I begin to think of the street I would walk down and how it was off Florin Road and houses would only be on the right side. Normally I’m not concerned with the route. But last night I was concerned the left side is filled with trees which could block cars passing by from seeing me.

I was concerned with the lack of lights and the lack of traffic. The walk up was pleasant but on the walk home I had a deep feeling something was wrong. I grew concern with the lack of street lighting and for the first time I decided to change my route.

As I approached Valero gas station near 25th street I decided to turn and walk on the street near the library. The area did not have much lighting but I knew in about 2 blocks I could walk the rest of the way home with houses both to the left and right of me and more traffic.

I noticed three youth walking towards me. As I approached the boys I took my MP3 headset out my ear. I noticed everything about them, their walk, clothing, hair styles. The youth and I exchanged pleasantries.

I placed the MP3 headset back in my ear and listened to my oldies. I walked about a block. I turned to see where the youth were and they were gone, no longer in my view.

I looked around and I saw no one in the immediate area. As I was singing along with the music I felt two hands grab my waist from behind. It wasn’t an aggressive grab. At first I thought perhaps my son or one of his friends was sneaking up on me.

My son will sometimes meet me when I walk and walk the rest of the way home with me. I’ve always felt safe, everyone in the neighborhood pretty much knows me and I am friendly with everyone.

I called out my sons name but then the grab became aggressive and vulgar. I tried to turn around to look them in the face but I was positioned where I couldn’t move around. I tried to yank the headset out my ear and scream, fight and protect myself.

Everything around me seemed darker, colder, scarier and I panicked. I couldn’t think straight. It felt like a movie; a scary movie. It didn’t seem real. I felt horrible. I felt violated. I felt scared.

I broke away and begin screaming, running, crying and there were no houses and there was no traffic. I never walk that route home. I was unfamiliar with the fact that there is a dangerous stretch where an attack can be made and no one can see or hear you scream.

I cried, “Oh God, Oh God”. I ran as fast as I could still yelling for help. I turned around once and I saw him as he ran towards 25th and Florin Road. He turned to look back but I could not get a clear picture of his face. I tried to look at his clothing but my mind kept feeling his disgusting hands on me. I didn’t want to look at him. I wanted to run as far away as possible.

I just wanted to get out the area. I remembered 911 on a cell phone would not go directly to SPD. I just wanted to get out the area. My uncle lives a few blocks from the area and I knew he could be to me in a matter of minutes. I called for two people to come to me and I would leave with whoever arrived first.

I cried all the way home. Every time I thought of his touch I screamed. I called the Sacramento Police Department 264-5151 number to file a police report. The phone was immediately answered. I described to the officer what occurred. The officer said “We’re on our way; we’re sending someone to you.”

I could not give a detailed description of the pervert because he assaulted me from behind. The one glance I had as I ran from him wasn’t clear.

I was so focused on the youth and cautious of the youth that a middle aged man assaulted me and I could not give a clear description other than his race.

I share this to warn others who enjoy walking in the evening. Take out your headset. I enjoy music but the music, even though I had the sound on low, distracted me from hearing anyone come from behind me.

Be cautious of your surroundings.

Don’t make the mistake I made and observe the youth and pay little attention to middle aged adults. I was so focused on what was in front of me the music distracted me from hearing someone come from behind me.

If you feel something is not right don’t do like I did and just change your route call for someone to come and get you. I tried to avoid danger and walked right into danger.

Don’t walk, in the dark, down 25th Street and Florin Road, near the welfare department, continuation school, grassy field and it appears a truck parking stop area. The area is somewhat isolated in the evening and before you reach the open field you can be attacked by a middle aged Black Male adult who assaults women.

Initially I thought he wasn’t a transient. The officer who came to my home asked me, “Do you think he was a transient? Did he smell bad?” I didn’t notice a smell so I said No. This morning I drove to the area and replayed the events in my mind.

I do now believe he was a transient. I didn’t smell him, he didn’t have an odor that I could notice but he attacked me from behind and I wasn’t smelling him I was trying to protect myself.

Initially I wondered if I should even make a police report since I couldn't give a good description for an arrest. But a report was necessary because someone else could be attacked and the pervert could become more dangerous.

The two officers who arrived at my home to take the report were both sensitive to my needs. They were both concerned and both very courteous. And I thank them for the respect I was given at a time when I felt so disrespected and violated.

Everything happened so fast but it would seem like forever. We can’t be too careful and we must always be alert. Please warn your neighbors, daughters, older women who enjoy going for evening walks that there is a predator in the area of 25th street and Florin Road. Be cautious and aware so you can be safe.

Thank you SacPd

Moving beyond a Silence the Violence forum to an Urban Peace Movement

2010-06-18T18:45:08Z

Sacramento will join the Urban Peace Movement to Silence the Violence.

Recently I’ve learned of several upcoming events which call on youth to Silence the Violence. I do not make light of the efforts and I do appreciate the efforts of everyone who addresses youth violence.

Previously in Sacramento many organizations held forums to address youth violence. Input and participation from the families directly affected and exposed to the violence was often absent from the development of the events. Families were often asked to attend but looked upon as a part of the problem and not a part of the solution.

Youth and families were often overlooked in efforts towards solutions.

Some addressing the violence will gather those affected and exposed to the violence stomp around as if they have the magic bullet to end the violence. They attempt to “whip those kids into shape” creating a power-over the community affected by the violence verses a power-with the community. The group spends a great deal of time focusing on changing the youth’s appearance, speech, hair…

The look-at-me and do-as-I-do approach of telling the youth all they’re doing wrong is seldom effective.

Some who address the violence will parade around as peacocks, putting together a program looking at who they can invite, calling upon council members, Chief of Police… They spend so much time looking at those they consider the powers to be that they actually spend so little time looking at reaching the youth—the powers within - to invite to the forum.

The forum can appear to look more like a meet and greet elected and non elect officials; than seeing or reaching the youth directly affected by the violence.

And there are people, who are also concerned of the violence, who will put together an event in attempts to get a grant. Their main focus is the grant and not the people. The group is so busy looking at money they actually spend too little time looking at the people directly affected and exposed to the violence.

Again, I don’t make light of their efforts each event just might have reached one saved one. However if we are to address youth violence we all can play a role in solutions to empower the youth and reduce the violence.

‘Since 2006, the Ella Baker Center has helped build a movement to bring peace to Oakland’s streets through our Silence The Violence Campaign. By focusing on solutions that address the root causes of violence, we’ve brought together individuals, community organizations, businesses and elected officials to uplift young people in the Bay Area with a mix of social activism and street culture. We are proud of what we accomplished together.” For additional information on their efforts please visit http://www.ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=14

The Urban Peace Movement “helps young people spread the message of urban peace. / http://urbanpeacemovement.org

Sacramento mother Shirley Rhodes is determined to move with and beyond Silence the Violence events and move towards an Urban Peace Movement. As a youth violence activist I do not make light of the efforts of anyone addressing youth violence. Having attended many forums/ events to address youth violence, I am impressed with Shirley Rhodes genuine efforts.

Shirley’s son, Michael Barron was shot and killed in the city of Sacramento. Since the funeral of her son I have seen Shirley at council sessions addressing youth violence. I’ve attended the Critical Resistence 2010 Oakland workshop with her. Her heart and passion is genuine and sincere.

She lost her first born son as he was shot and killed while sitting in his car at a Valley Hi area mini mall and she is actively reaching out in the spirit of love, to reach and save more youth from death on a Sacramento street . She attempts to also reach those who have become stuck in a revolving door in and out of the prison industry.

Shirley labors for Sacramento area youth to live and know freedom. She attempts to find resources and empower them to redirect their lives. For more information on the foundation created by Shirley Rhodes in memory of her son, please visit, www.themikebfoundation.com

Shirley is calling on the families affected and exposed to the violence to join in paying homage to the lives lost in Sacramento. She is calling on those not directly affected to also attend the forum to pay homage to the lives and families affected by the violence. Shirley is attempting to shift the paradigm from a power-over the community to a power-with the community.

I commend her for her efforts and her overwhelming love for our youth. The Mike B Foundation will add the research and outreach of the Silence the Violence campaigns and the Urban Peace Movement to combine with research and efforts from within our own Sacramento community for answers, solutions, input, and outreach to allow Sacramento youth to live and live a life without being surrounded with bars.

On July 24, 2010 Sacramento, through the Mike B Foundation, will join the National Day of Action to heal our streets. http://urbanpeacemovement.org/national-day-of-action . The Mike B Foundation will hold the ‘Silence the Violence National Day of Action event on Florin Road and Franklin Blvd, (old Wal-Mart Parking Lot) beginning at 10am.

Sponsors are needed. Resource booths are encouraged. Donations of monetary, ice, hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, bottled water… are all needed and appreciated.

All families affected and exposed to the violence who would like to participate in the forum, wear T-Shirts of your loved one, set up a booth to give information about the life and passing of your loved one, are welcome to attend, participate and educate.

Please contact Shirley Rhodes for additional information. (916) 429-2580

Sacramento mother Shirley Rhodes attempts to seek life and freedom for Sacramento area youth. She walks by the Grace of God, to address youth violence having lost her own son. She will continue to walk if it is the will of God to Save Sacramento Sons and Daughters from the same tragic death which took her sons lif and she walks with determination and love.

Again, Donations in the Spirit of Love are needed and the donations are accepted in the Spirit of Love.

Photos: Murdered victim Michael Barron, taken in Dec 2006. Shirley Rhodes, Michael's mother) with her youngest son, David, (next to her in yellow T-shirt) also pictured are 6 of the 7 children ages 2-13yrs of slain homicide victim Michael Barron.

Funeral of 18yrs young D'Andre Lawrence Blackwell

2010-06-17T03:36:52Z

Funeral of 18yrs young D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell

On April 11, 2010 D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell celebrated his 18th Birthday.

On May 25, 2010, D’Andre graduated from Valley High School.

On June 2, 2010 D’Andre was shot and killed as he attends a High School graduation party.

On June 16, 2010 Destiny church located at 5230 Ehrhardt Avenue is filled to capacity of family and friends mourning the tragic death of D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell. The people were mourning.

Tears flowed down the faces of the young and old.

At the funeral were many familiar faces. Youth who were in attendance and some who were pallbearers at the March 2010 funeral of 17yr old Marque Alexander Johnson were also in attendance mourning the passing of another classmate, friend and love one.

On the wall above D’Andre’s gray casket were the words, “For I know the plans, I have for you.” Declare the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” Another banner on the wall near D’Andre’s casket was the words, ‘Go ye into all the world.’

D’Andre lay breathless dressed in a white suit with a blue shirt. A white baseball cap was near his hands. We could not see the big beautiful eyes his friends and family often spoke of.

We could not see the beautiful smile family members would say he always possessed. We saw a lifeless body in a room filled with life, pain sorrow, love and death.

The Processional began and Ministers, Family and Pallbearers walked down the middle aisle as a Minister softly spoke “Yea tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow Of Death”. Young faces appeared frozen in a psychological frozen state as many in attendance are walking through the Shadow of Death losing another friend before they’ve fully mourned the death of a previous friend shot and killed.

Many of D’Andre’s family members were beautifully dressed in white to match D’Andre. The Pallbearers walked down the aisle in their blue Valley High School uniforms.

D’Andre was born in Sacramento on April 11, 1992. He attended Mark Hopkins Elementary School, Samuel Jackman Middle School and graduated from Valley High School.

D’Andre’s cousins, grandfather, best friend and coaches each cried as they spoke of D’Andre’s genuine compassion, his big heart, bright smile and passion for basketball.

D’Andre had once told his mother, ‘If I weren’t in your life, your life would be boring.” A mother, father, family and friends lives will forever be interrupted by the absence of a young man they love and will forever miss.

The family and friends grieved.

Coach Bradley cried, “ I am D’Andre’s basketball coach; the last one. For two and a half years D’Andre has been in my life. When I think of De’Andre I think of positive influences, family, team, Valley Hi. Defense is part of being successful. In basketball we call it ‘D’. Defense has a new meaning for me. For the rest of my life when I coach and we yell ‘D’, I will be saying D’Andre in my heart.”

Coach Davis cried, “D’Andre wants everyone to be happy. His big ol eyes, pretty lil smile, giving person. De’Andre made the family strong and brought chemistry towards the team. “He spoke of a trip the team took to Reno and how some of the team thought the car would not make the trip. He cried when he said, “D’Andre said, we’re gonna make it Coach and when we made it he got out the car and gave me a big hug.”

The coach told the youth in attendance, ‘You have to stop living for the presence and live for the future.”

D’Andre’s best friend, Deja Turner, cried, “I love you.’ She spoke of how he would call her at night and when they were going to hang up the phone he would tell her, “I love you.” She would respond, “Excuse me?” And he would say, “ love you goodnight.” She cried, “I love him.” She thanked D’Andre for being over protected, and said, ‘We’re going to get through this.’

D’Andre’s cousin, Deja Bass cried, “D’Andre loved everybody. I never saw him not smile.” She cried as she stated, “I use to ask him, dang don’t your cheeks hurt yet from smiling.”

D’Andre’s grandfather, John Blackwell Sr, often appeared to choke in pain as he spoke. He thanked everyone for being there. He cried, ‘I’m going to miss D’Andre dearly with all my heart. We were always close. I am very proud of my grandson. I was proud of him all through the years. “

His grandfather temporarily broke down and then continued speaking, ‘I don’t know if there are any words I can say to his mom, dad, to his relatives, the pain we’re xperiencing right now, I don’t know what to say. I can only say he had a wonderful smile, big bright eyes. We lost a dear friend, grandson, I love so much.”

Several other family members would also speak of their love, pain, sadness of D’Andre’s absence. D’Andre will be gone but never forgotten by all who love him.

Minister Y.W. Griffin Jr did an outstanding job reaching out to the youth in attendance. In fact, he did better than any funeral I have ever attended of a youth murdered. He reached out in the spirit of love and lifted the youth. His message was empowering. I have never seen youth attend a funeral and be embraced by a minster the way Minister Griffin Jr held the youth through their pain. His energy, love, compassion was infectious.

This is the second funeral I have taken my 17yr old son of a classmate and friend who was shot and killed. At the funeral I saw so many familiar faces of youth I have seen at previous funerals.

I hugged them and gave them my number to call me anytime, day or night. As I left and was 2 blocks from the church, I received a call from a youth who was a Pall bearer at Marque Alexander Johnson’s funeral and in attendance at D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell’s funeral. He spoke softly and intensely, as he stated, “I need you. Please come back and get me”

I immediately turned the car around and went back to get him. What would happen next is truly alarming. But I will write about that in Part 2- After the Service and Before the Healing- Elk Grove PD.

The funeral of D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell was truly a celebration as many found comfort in the love of God. The words would echo throughout the service, “ D’Andre is with God now.”

My heart aches for another family who has lost their youth to homicide. May God lift, bless and comfort everyone affected by the tragic death of 18yrs young, D’Andre Lawrence Blackwell.

Kudos to Meadowview Home Depot

2010-06-13T23:19:44Z

Today I left my home to go to Home Depot. I am not a handywoman. In fact I'm affectionately known by many who know me as MacGyver.

I'm resourceful in fact my kids often say I am imaginative. I often times make a way with whatever I have. I may not put something back together properly but I will put it together one way or another. lol

It was my goal today to correctly make repairs when replacing the two screens, which attach within the bricks, along the side of my home.

So I would not confuse the employees, and since I had no idea the correct name for the screen, I took an extra screen my landlord forgot to replace and I headed off to home depot.

I walked in the store and was greeted by a very nice young man. We exchanged pleasantries and then I gave him my request.

I stated, "I'm bringing this (holding up the screen) into your store. I'm looking for another one as well as the screws, nails or whatever is used to attach it. I am also looking for the tool to attach the screw, nail, or whatever is used to hold it to the home.'

I remind you I am not a handy woman so I can understand the look of confusion on his young face.

The young man tried to be helpful. I appreciated his efforts.I explained where the screen belongs and what I thought the purpose of it was. He said, 'Let me look and see if I can find someone else to help you. I haven't been working here that long."

I saw another young employee and said, 'Should I ask him?" He replied, "He's new too."

Suddenly at the rear of the store a gentleman in an orange vest with silver looking hair caught my eye. I turned to the young employee assisting me and said, "Perhaps I should ask that older gentleman. I like spring chickens; but I'm no cougar. I'll try my luck with the older guy." We both laughed and I headed off.

I approached the silver top older guy with my shining silver screen in my hand. Written on his name tag was the name Jim. As I held up the shiny screen I stated, "Jim, I'm looking for one of these." Before I could explain where the screen belongs the gentleman took me directly to the screens.

Jim measured the screen to get an exact match. He then instructed me on how to drill the hole and how to attach the screen."

I asked Jim, “Will I need a flat head or what’s that other one called, oh yeah Phillips screw driver . “ Jim told me, “In Europe it’s called a plus or minus.” I laughed “Oh yeah, one does look a minus sign and the other a plus. I never thought of it like that before. Then again, I’ve never been to Europe.” We both laughed and exchanged further pleasantries.

Another slightly seasoned employee a female name Pat came over to assist us. I listened to Pat and Jim talk shop. I explained I could not afford a drill and they both begin to explain how I could attach the screen without a drill and walked me to the screws I would need. They were both a great help.

All in all my trip to Home Depot was refreshing. It's good to see the rookies employed at home depot. But for me, it was even better seeing the veterans at work.

Pat a female employee and Jim a male employee have been around the block, they are not spring chickens, but they get the job done and they do so with kindness, smiles, humor and most of all knowledge of the shop and all the materials.

Kudos to Meadoview Home Depot a store which does not have an out with the old and in with the new attitude. A store without a one size (or age) fits all motto but recognizes the value of both the young and the not-so-young in age but young at heart.

Trying to Find Comic Relief in a Somber City Budget Session

2010-06-11T17:01:13Z

Trying to Find Comic Relief in a somber City Council Budget Session

During the June 10, 2010 City Council Session the atmosphere was bleak. Many of us were concerned of various different proposed cuts. City hall was filled to capacity.

Across the board the lives of many are affected by the impact of an overwhelming city deficit. Employees are facing layoffs. City department budgets are cut. City residents are also feeling the impact, of the 43 million dollar budget deficit, as we lose many valued services.

Youth and Senior services, which are already minimal, were struck with a blow.

Parks and Community centers are closing. In fact out of 10 centers only 3 are scheduled to remain open. I believe Councilmember Sheedy is losing three Centers. A few council members spoke up regarding the massive cuts which will affect youth and seniors.

Council member Sheedy is a seasoned council member. She was impressive throughout the session. Council member Sheedy, Pannel and McCarthy often spoke up for the poorest of residents.

The impact, of the city’s budget deficit, has on the community appeared to bring depression throughout the room. The council and residents sat in a somber mood.

As many, including myself, agonized over the city budget; I looked at our mayor and I saw not-so-funny comic relief. There was nothing to laugh at with the proposed cuts but I did find humor when at one point city hall transformed into Jellystone Park.

Ranger Braziel gave a fair presentation of the affects of the cuts on the Police Department. Once the presentation ended none of the council persons addressed the Ranger. If I am not mistaken no uniform officers will lose their jobs.

Mayor Johnson, Aka Yogi Bear, who appears to think he’s smarter than the average bear, was up to his tricks again. Yogi appeared to search for a way to repay his debts to Boo Bo. (Aka, SPOA) Yogi was trying to be inconspicuous in his search for a picnic basket for Boo Boo. But Yogi’s moves were obvious and it was fun to watch.

I had the best seat in the house. I sat in the row directly in front of the row of law enforcement officers and whatever I missed, I would overhear. The budget crisis does affect us all and I do not make light or humor in the labor/ efforts of our officers.

No council person spoke after Ranger Braziel’s presentation. Yogi, (Mayor Johnson) made no comments towards Parks & Recreation during their presentation. It appeared Yogi Bear didn’t have much use for the recreation of our Parks anymore.

Instead of the Ranger trying to catch Yogi to bring back the pic-a-nic basket; Yogi was running interference for the Ranger. And Boo Boo (Vice President of the SPOA) was there watching how it would all play out. It was priceless to watch City Hall transform into Jellystone Park.

I said hello to some of the officers I've always spoke to and I’ll admit I felt a little uncomfortable as I caught a winter chill while in Jellystone Park. Some in LE who would often smile and speak to me suddenly made me feel like Jack Frost or Frosty the Snow man. Eyes froze and I received no hello in return

I didn’t mind the cold shoulder. But if looks could kill well let’s just say I was glad the fire department was there. Councilmember Cohn found possible funding to prevent one brown-out and the mood was a little less somber so I think I would have been rescued.

As I left city hall I thought of Yogi and realized he’s also known as Chicken Little as he tried to plant the seed that the sky is falling. Mayor Johnson did try to pump up the volume on fear tactics once Ranger Braziel, did not use the propaganda often witnessed at budget hearings when Najera was Chief of Police.

At City Hall last night Mayor Johnson, aka Yogi Bear, aka Chicken Little, tried to smoothly get a picnic basket for Boo Boo.

I haven’t given Johnson enough credit I always gave the credit for our Mayor’s manipulation to a special assistant, campaign manager or volunteers. But last night Mayor Johnson didn’t skip a beat. He performed on his own and I have to hand it to him he was smart; but not smarter than the average bear.

The Times They Are A-Changin

2010-06-08T08:47:55Z

I won't deny that I want change. Oh, I want it bad. I’ve longed to see the day when the times would change.

My definition of change appears to be different than our mayor’s use of the word change. To me change is more than a word but it is action. To me it is more than status quo of uncomfortable relationships between special interest and candidates. It's more than masking deceit as truth. To me change is actually making a difference in the lives of many to bring a better quality of life.

This election season I wanted so bad to see a change. The last few years have been overwhelmingly painful. I didn’t know how change would come. I didn’t know when change would come. I didn’t know where to look for change. But it turns out this election has been an educational experience I will never forget and always appreciate.

The last few years, my life, as a mother residing within a community divided between victims and suspects has been painful. Taking a verse from the poem, Mother to Son, written by Langston Hughes, “I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up... But all the time I'se been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light.... "

But through it all I did not sit down. I kept moving and looking for change.

I take Sacramento elections seriously. Heck, we have to or some officials can abuse the power given to them. And if we aren't careful they'll ask for even more power.

I believe those who abuse power rely on us to want change so bad we'll jump at anything they call change. And I believe those who abuse power believe some of us will eventually accept whatever we are given and call it change.

I learned (painfully) campaign promises are not always what they are made out to be. In Sacramento all that glitters is not gold. We have plenty of fool’s gold. Promises are broken, people are overlooked, and transparency and accountability is blowin in the wind once the elections are over.

But now life is looking so much better. It appears, in Sacramento...
"The Times They Are A-Changin" (Bob Dylan)

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Heck, I learned this election our similarities actually outweigh our differences. The fact that we all want change outweighs our differences of opinion. It appears the waters around us have grown. Too much has gone wrong. Too many games and hidden and no-so hidden agenda’s are involved in Sacramento politics causing many more of us to voice our concerns.

We are from different backgrounds. We have different concerns. We have different voices. We have different opinions. But we all want change.

Community members are engaged and actively voicing their concerns, insight, knowledge, pain, and we are telling elected officials they better start swimmin and look away from special interest or they'll sink like a stone. For the times they are a-changin.

This has been one heck of an election season. In fact the best I've seen. Previously Sacramento residents were overwhelmed with propaganda of change. In Sacramento, power and greed was masqueraded as change. But community members would rise from the surface. We actively looked above the surface for truth and below the surface for the deceit. Our voices cried out for genuine change..

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'

Some writers and many who endorsed candidates gave us their opinions. Often times the voice of the community was overshadowed by endorsements of papers, unions, special interest. It appears so many were watching the Big Money when it appears money isn’t what we should watch.

The voices, insights and struggles within the community is what many watched. Our votes cannot be bought and community members were not selling them.

For the times they are a-changin. We opened our minds. We read between the lines. We looked above and below the surface. We added and subtracted from what we were told to seek out the truth within the election.

Community members sought their own understanding. We weighed the pros and cons. We were actively engaged in dialog on the candidates. We didn’t always agree on the candidates but the times they are a-changin.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

We've confronted our Mayor, council and candidates warning them to heed our call and not stand in the way attempting to block our voice. In Sacramento a battle was raging outside city hall. It shook our conscious and rattled our emotions as we let the elected officials know we demand genuine change within city hall.

Regardless who wins the election, the people have spoken. The change will come.

And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

We were criticized but we kept speaking up. More begin looking beyond our mayor's idea that more power will bring change. We being to recognized the special interest commands. The old road rapidly aged.

Residents called for the Mayor, council and candidates to get out of the new road if they will not lend the community a hand. The community spoke, “We’ve had enough of the one hand washes the other mentality of elected officials and special interests” The times they are a-changin.

The change it turns out is in the residents of the city of Sacramento. No matter how the election turns out Sacramento will be a better city because the community has shifted the paradigm from a city hall headed to a power-over the people to a greater power-with the people.

Through all the mud-slinging, all the games and dirty politics the people weighed the actions of many. Whether we agreed or disagreed we all wanted change.

Change has come!

The community was engaged. The community was concerned. The community was watching. The community was voicing their opinions, insight, wisdom, knowledge. . The community awakens. Community members stood firm against and weighing the reasoning for special interest, big money, media, unions and our Mayor's endorsements.

No matter what happens after we cast our votes; nothing will be the same! That's change.

Elected officials know we are watching and will look for favors given by them to those who endorsed them. We are watching to see if incumbents will become strong and if candidates who may win will be weak. If elected officials do not fly above deceit, greed and special interest; the community will clip their wings so they'll never fly again. That's change.

The battle that raged was not in vain, it brought us change. No matter who is elected into office; the residents of Sacramento changed this election.

Life for me hasn't been a crystal stair but I find joy this election season knowing, The Times They Are A-Changin.

Please vote and do so from your hearts, conscious, insight, experience, research...

When all is said and done, we have to continue the dialog and work together, community and elected officials, to continue in the direction of genuine change. The power is with the people! The change is with the People!. The times they are a-changin.

Mayor Johnson Our Children are Dying!

2010-06-06T19:34:25Z

I will soon take my 17yr old son to his second funeral.

In March my youngest son to the funeral of his 17yr old friend who was shot and killed on a Sacramento city street.

Today, just as in March, my son came in the room not knowing how to release his pain.

His eyes are beginning to look like my older son's when friends he knew were shot and killed. It’s so difficult to watch your children’s eyes suddenly begin to lose a sparkle as his eyes begin to hold reminisce of death.

I have fought so hard for my younger son not to know the pain my older son knew. Is my fighting for our children to live and know freedom in vain?

Today my son looked at me and said, "Mom, another friend is dead. He was shot and killed. Dead...”

He doesn't want to talk about it. He doesn't want to go into details. He doesn't want to discuss his feelings. He is in a psychological frozen state.

It doesn't come easier each time it happens. It doesn't have less pain. He hurts. And that hurt is tremendous.

As Mayor Johnson looks for support for District Candidate Ashby I sit here and wonder when he will look for support for Sacramento area youth that sometimes are fighting to live and often living to die?

When will our Mayor have the time, energy or concern to raise money for the youth of Sacramento? Families can’t raise their children from the dead.

People are in mourning. Families are suffering. Friends are in a psychological frozen state.

Our cries echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another as our children die.

Mayor Johnson, Our children are dying, Sacramento City Residents are mourning.

Send a Message of Real Change Mayor Johnson

2010-06-05T10:42:47Z

Send a Message of Real Change Mayor Johnson

Approximately ten days ago Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wrote “Send a Message of Change” http://www.teamkj.org/tabid/72/Article/421/send-a-message-of-change-with-ashby-for-council.aspx

Basically our mayor called on residents to cast their ballots for District 1 Candidate Angelique Ashby. He asked us to ‘Give money, time or both to support Ashby”

When our Mayor was running for office against former Mayor Heather Fargo I attended a meeting where he told the group, “without a vision the people will perish.’ Yet, we have a mayor who appears to have his vision set on asking the residents, businesses, unions and interest groups to support a candidate for council while the city of Sacramento is in a 43 million dollar budget deficit.

More than 100 city workers are facing layoffs and our Mayor’s vision is on city council candidate Angelique Ashby or perhaps his vision is on support for his Strong Mayor Initiative

Mayor Johnson wrote on his blog, “Ashby represents the vision, energy and commitment needed to bring the next generation of leadership to City Hall.” But where is Mayor Johnson’s vision, energy, commitment to the City of Sacramento employees who have lost jobs and those facing layoffs?

In fact where are the visions of the candidates running for office or attempting to remain in office as the city faces a 43 million dollar deficit, city employees becoming unemployed and drastic programs cut?

It appears the visions of many are clouded.

Tonight I read Sacramento Press article Flood of Interest Group money supports Ashby and my disappointment grows deep. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/29049/Committee_antes_up_36000_for_Ashby_mailers

I took the time to read the list of contributors and the amount of money they each contribute and I wondered where is the loyalty to the city many claim to love.? Why is loyalty on a candidate and not the city deficit?

Since unions such as firefighters and Sacramento Police Officers Associations can contribute so much money to campaigns, during a time when cuts are pending and their employees face unemployment , why can’t they use the funding to fill in the gap of the city budget? Why give it to a candidate? Why not use the money within their departments to help ease the city burdens?

Heck, the employees are paying the union dues surely they would want the money to go to their co-workers and not for campaign fliers, mailers, signs and advertisements for a candidate.

Are unions, developers and special interest donating money for favors in the middle of a 43 million dollar budget deficit?

In Sacramento firefighters face cuts and suddenly the firefighter union supports our Mayor’s Strong Mayor Proposal. Firefighters face cuts yet they throw money at candidates running for office?
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/28979/Fire_services_on_citys_list_of_budget_cuts
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/02/2793431/city-firefighters-union-backs.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/01/2790959/city-firefighters-support-mayor.html

Sacramento Police Officers Union faces cuts. They also support our Mayor’s Strong Mayor Proposal. Yet, they too in the midst of huge city budget deficit, where their department face cuts. the union shells out money to support candidates?

Why didn’t our mayor ask the unions to stop contributing to campaigns and use the money to help the city through an overwhelming budget crisis?

Why don't the developers and unions and all the people our Mayor reaches out to “ “Give money, time or both to support Ashby” support the City of Sacramento and use the money to perhaps provide a grant for a city department facing cuts?

If our Mayor had a vision, if candidates who claim to love the city of Sacramento truly loved the city of Sacramento more than themselves, it seems they would reach out to the public in the spirit of love to support city departments with money, time or both and not candidates.

It appears we have folks reaching out in the spirit of greed and power to support themselves.

The Mayor of Sacramento could have asked for money to aid with public safety needs. He could have asked for financial help from businesses, developers, special interests and unions for public safety needs and in turn have additional budget funds for city spending so employees in Parks and Recreation and other city employees can keep their jobs.

Instead of Johnson calling on people to contribute to Ashby's campaign why didn't he call on them to contribute to public safety, or resources for programs or services for youth? Does our Mayor ask for support for Ashby so he can gain favors?

I'd vote for and support any candidate in a heart-beat who said, 'I don't want your contributions I prefer any contributions made to me to go towards grants to aid the city departments loosing funding during a budget crisis.

Heck, I bet the media who often seen the candidates who raised the most money would gladly see the candidate who gave back the most money giving the contributions to the city of Sacramento to aid in a budget crisis.

I would have handmade signs and placed them on my lawn for a candidate who asked donors to provide a grant to a city department instead of funding a personal campaign. I would have encouraged my friends, neighbors and family to buy or hand make a sign to place on their lawn.

I would have bought a book of stamps and encouraged others buy stamps and mail letters supporting a candidate. Heck they wouldn’t be fancy and glossy but would be in support of a candidate who didn’t want money for their personal campaigns but wanted in the spirit of love to help the city of Sacramento.

But what we have here in Sacramento is special interests, unions, developers attempting to gain favor from a city in deficit and a mayor wanting more power campaigning for a candidate.

We have a mayor without a vision and city residents have lost their jobs, facing layoffs, already unemployed and he is asking for the community to provide money for a candidate. And sadly we have candidates who are also looking at their personal gain and not the city of Sacramento budget crisis.

What we have in Sacramento appears to be hidden and not-so-hidden agendas and a 43 million dollar budget deficit and our Mayor asks the community to support Ashby. We have unions in Sacramento threatened with cuts suddenly throwing money at candidates when they should use the money for their departments.

It appears even with a vision the people will perish when a mayor visions is on the greed of others and his personal power. How can a mayor who is continuously looking for money for Sacramento Police Officers not ask the Sacramento Police Officers Union to “Give money, time or both to support our officers and not candidates during overwhelming budget cuts?”

Why doesn’t our mayor send a real message of change and stop following the money to support his Strong Mayor Proposal?

Heck, Why is our mayor so concerned with District 1 candidate Angelique Ashby?

Disclosure: I am a resident of the city of Sacramento who has no money to support a candidate and has no time to support our mayor's chosen candidate. The above is my opinion and not that of Sacramento Press.

Kudos to the Power within Sacramento

2010-05-27T20:51:37Z

Kudos to Sacramento Community Members, Activists, Soldiers.

Today I read a comment made to me from Marion Millian. The comment touched me so very much. I attempted to respond to her on the article she posted it on. However, the comment is too long and I will submit it here.

This is not a news article. This may not be newsworthy to many. This is about how a comment made, by Marion to me who I've never had the pleasure to meet in person or talk to outside of this forum, has forever touched my heart..

This is about love; reaching out in the spirit of love. This is about how she reached out to me in the Spirit of Love and how I am reaching out to her in the Spirit of Love.

I apologize in advance if this is something that you may feel you wasted your time reading. I warn you this is not news. You may see it as blah, blah, blah. So you might want to stop reading it at this point.

Marion, I don't want to sound all mushy but the truth is I cried when I read your comment. I cried because I am so very grateful to have been blessed to see so much activism in the midst of so much pain.

You say you like my humor. The truth is I haven’t had humor in a long time. I laugh because I walked a long, hard, painful road often alone. I was afraid to get to know more people because the people would often disappoint me by their deceit. To quote a song, "The smiling faces showed no traces of the evil that lurked within" But the evil would be revealed. That was painful.

Oh, I'm crying as I write this. But these are happy tears, I am rejoicing for being blessed, through this pain, to see so much community engagement. When I often seen en"GAG"ment. l am glad for the typo.lol

I laugh because there have been times, more often than not, when I cried, seeing so many people holding their tongues with one hand and holding out their other hand to get money.

You touched my heart; a heart that was broke is now repairing. A heart that was swollen feeling as though it was bursting with pain is filling with love.

I use to only see engagement when money was available and people came as leprechauns to get their share of the pot of gold. To see a rainbow, of so many community members responding, participating, offering so much insight, knowledge, passion after a storm is so beautiful; it’s worth crying for.

You have inspired me beyond my wildest dreams. It's been a long hard painful road that I chose to walk sometimes in the dark alone because I kept being ambushed by special interests.

I was often afraid of the special interest monsters, the greed and deceit, of so many overwhelmed me. But I knew the reward would pay off if I kept going. I found my way here, on SacPress, to see soldiers standing against deceit, trickery and the games often played within the political hell many have lived in.

I am no longer fearful of the man behind the curtain; because I see so many standing not in the audience but on the stage waiting to disarm the deceit.

Good overshadows bad, love overshadows hate, truth overshadows deceit and engagement overshadows lack of public concern. Oh and then there is change.

After reading your comment to me and after reading various articles and responses from active community members/ genuine activists engaged in the plight of this community; I am whole, not broken.

I feel like I'm walking on air. I feel peace around me.

I don't deserve the praise. I give God all the honor, glory and praise for taking me to where I needed to go, showing me what I need to see, allowing me to receive love by you, people I have never personally known

And God deserves the praise for letting me know I am not alone. I can awaken from this nightmare and see a sweet dream of what the future can hold.

I am blessed to see beyond myself and see the stream of community awareness, community support, community engagement and community soldiers/ activists.

I want to thank you Marion and all of the people who contribute insightful, knowledgeable and sometimes colorful discussions; in the Spirit of Love from my heart.

More people have awakened. What was dead for some has been resurrected; the Spirit of genuine activism is very much alive in Sacramento, California.

I also give thanks to Sacramento Press for this forum to release the voices of Sacramento’s community soldiers.

The power of change is not in elected officials. The power of change is in the people.

People on the forum may not always agree but we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal on this forum. We all have a voice. This is wonderful. Thank you all for showing me the love, passion, soldiers within the city of Sacramento.

I want to thank you all for being an inspiration to me at a time when I so desperately needed to see and believe in the power of the people!

I want to give special thanks to a genuine community activist, a strong community soldier, Marion Millin because it was the comment you wrote to me which released much pain from my heart.

Kudos to the Community members, community activists, and community soldiers so actively engaged in Sacramento politics and politicians.

The Power in Sacramento is within the People!

In the Spirit of Love and Peace
Rhonda Erwin

Mayor Johnson discriminates against community members

2010-05-26T07:22:46Z

Tuesday, I thought a discussion for the budget was scheduled. I rushed to cook dinner for my son and hurried off to city hall. When I arrived at city hall, to my surprise, there was a very long line.

I patiently stood in the back of the line speaking with people around me to learn why they were at city hall. I was surrounded by lots of nice and interesting people.

An officer would continuously come to the line and tell us we could fill out a speaker request and go to the overflow room whereas we could sit and not have to stand and wait.

I chose to stay, stand and wait. I was enjoying hearing the people around me discuss their concerns. I wanted to go into the chambers to see more than the speakers but to watch the reactions of the people.

After some time, I was among the fifth group who was allowed to enter the session. But I was fortunate to enter prior to item #25 Arizona Illegal Immigration Legislation SB 1070 discussion began.

The room was filled with both passionate and angry folks. Folks were angry the city would address Arizona law and folks were angry that some folks were against the city addressing it.

I had not read the law and was not familiar with the law and I stayed, after learning there was no budget discussion, to learn more of the Arizona law and to listen and learn from the people in attendance.

There were people of all ethnic groups who voiced their concerns of Sacramento not having the discussion or supporting the boycott.

There were people of all ethnic backgrounds who voiced their concerns and appreciations that Sacramento was having the discussion.

Initially I had not filled out a speaker request. But Mayor Johnson gave his opening remarks and to be honest, I was impressed.

As I listened to one side voice their concerns (the side who opposed the city addressing and supporting Boycotting Arizona) I decided to compliment Mayor Johnson on the way he conducted the hearing.

I will admit, I would desperately like the city to address life and freedom for Sacramento area residents but seeing how what is happening in Arizona is affecting the emotions, feelings, life of Sacramento area residents I supported the city addressing the issue.

Tempers were bouncing around the room. One man yelled in a irate tone to the Mayor, “Look at me. Look at me Mayor Johnson”. The Mayor did not lift his head. I wouldn’t have lifted my head either. In fact I might not have been as nice as the mayor.

One audience member yelled,” KKK” as one person spoke against Sacramento addressing Arizona law. I felt it was uncalled for since the people in front of me were also against it and they were Latino and angry at the city for addressing it.

Again, there were people of all ethnic backgrounds on both sides.

Nearly three hours had gone by. I patiently waited, with many others, for the time when the next group could speak of our support to the city for addressing the issue and even boycotting Arizona.

Finally, our time had arrived to have our say on the matter. I stood up to begin to line up and actually compliment the mayor and to my surprise Mayor Johnson sucker punched many of us.

The group who supported Sacramento addressing and boycotting Arizona law were told, after we began to line up, were told by the mayor "we're doing things different..."

People were lining up and the Mayor told us with a slightly agitated tone, he hadn’t told us what to do and not to get in line.

Confused, since the prior group simply lined up I was wondering what the heck was going on. Then he said it, “We’re going to let the leaders speak first…..”

What the heck, we’re all leaders, didn’t we lead our way to the session? But Mayor Johnson wanted titles, people he considered leaders to have the privileged of speaking first. Some of whom just arrived at the session.

I waited three hours to feel like a second class citizen. I was going to stand in line anyway, with “the leaders” because I don’t believe in discrimination of any form.

But I wanted to prove a point and get up with my people; the community members who went to city hall concerned with an agenda many felt was based on discrimination only to discriminated against by the mayor for not being “leaders”.

The same Mayor who gave a beautiful opening remark on his opposition to discrimination would overlook some of us. Wow, if that isn’t hypocrisy.

How can a Sacramento mayor concerned with residents in Arizona not be concerned with how he can make residents of Sacramento feel discriminated against?

I sat back down and waited until it was plain ole community members without a title turn to speak. As I sat down I scribbled out my praises that I was going to give the mayor of how he conducted the meeting to my disgust of being treated like a second class citizen.

After the first group of leaders spoke I stood up again and got in line. Then we were told we would have one minute instead of two minutes. I was okay with that because everyone else had basically said what I was feeling and I only needed one minute to say what I needed to say.

Basically I wanted to inform the mayor he needs to learn to shift the paradigm from power-over community members to a power-with.

Then a city official came and told the person in front of me, “I need you and everyone behind you to sit back down, we have to clear the walk way….”

At first I refused to sit down. I was agitated. I had enough of being bounced around. I was tired. But I sat down.

After hearing a few more people speak I decided to leave. It was 9:10pm. I decided I don’t have to go to city hall to be treated like a second class citizen, by a mayor who sees or is impressed or wants to get support from “leaders” over home-grown- grassroots -community members.

Heck, what we have to say must be of value; after all “leaders” come into the community to recruit us when they need us to promote, speak, and join their grant funded organizations.

I decided to leave. I don’t have to sit around as a second class citizen. I can come home and write my opinions, views, feelings and be treated with respect by people who don’t care if I have a “title” or considered by the mayor a “leader”. I stay true to who I am; a concerned community member.

On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson proved to me, yet again, he does not need more power. He still doesn’t see or respect or value the city’s everyday folks.

In the Spirit of Love and some anger
Rhonda Erwin
I’m leaving the news of the event to the journalist. I am merely writing of how the session caused me to feel like a second class session.

Our reaction to the news is as important as the news

2010-05-25T20:45:29Z

I’m not a journalist. I have no desires to be a journalist. And I do have great respect for many journalists. Heck, to be an effective journalist is easier said than done and I won’t pretend I have journalism skills.

I do not want to write the news of the day. I want to write how the news, the actions of those within the news, affects our lives. I'll leave journalism to the professional and citizen journalist.

I’m proud to say, I am an activist. I have labored long and hard without pay for what I believe in; truth and transparency are among those beliefs. I labor to do my part and try and make life better for many of us in Sacramento who are often overlooked, overshadowed or just plain ignored.

I'll admit, I don't labor unselfishly, my own pain is real and my heart is heavy knowing the pain of so many others. But it is a labor, if committed; we should do unselfishly; looking at others, even if we are in the midst of our own pain.

I'm not trying to be a journalist nor a politician. My only desire is to live in a city with far less pain than I have felt in the past. But during the times of budget and elections my heart saddens and my pain deepens as the city becomes a free-for-all for deceit, greed, trickery.

I often, more often than not, feel as though I am suffocating with deceit all around me. It is a horrible feeling. Sometimes it feels like it will leave me breathless. But I labor because if I die of a broken or swollen heart. I want more to know how we lived and just how we died. I am not alone; it is a feeling that so many of us experience.

Contrary to the belief of some in office, or seeking office, many of us are not ignorant; we’re simply ignored.

It is important that journalist bring the news to residents. But I also feel it is important that elected officials and people in general know how that news affects the lives of the residents.

It is equally important that we have an avenue to vent, to rant, to release the animosity that the deceit and games played by some in public office and some wanting to get in public office, can cause us.

I don’t want to bring you the news; I want to bring you what's equally important, the reaction and how the people, often politicians, in the news affects us. Their brochures, commercials, campaigns will often times paint a pretty picture with smiling residents.
But many of us are not smiling we are crying, frowning, miserable, angry at those in office or attempting to get in office.

Today two articles caused me both concern and pain. I could see what strongly feels like a hidden agenda. 1) Council could see new strong mayor plan in June. 2) Rhee urges top school officials to get political, find supporters.

I was going to write my reaction to what I read but then I read the remarks from naga, bbbbmer, fifthgensacramentar, William Burg, heidimclean and a burden was lifted from my shoulders. I genuinely felt relief. They are genuine activists. They shouldn't be confused as critics. They unselfishly labor to make Sacramento a better city. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/27877/Council_could_see_new_strong_mayor_plan_in_June
http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/27874/Michelle_Rhee

When I read the news today it wasn't an elected official which eased my burdens. It was naga, fifthgensacramentar, bbbbmer, William Burg, heidimclean who showed me the love, commitment and determination to make Sacramento a world class city of truth and transparency. I just wish that during election and budget times we could vote for the people – who are the genuine activist- of the city of Sacramento. Not self absorbed politicians.

Heck, to make Sacramento a strong city we don't need Mayor Johnson with more power as a strong mayor. We need more strong residents, more strong activists such as fifthgensacramentar, William Burg, naga, bbbbmer, heidimclean and others holding elected officials feet to the fire.

My heart was heavy when I read of the people in the news; but it was no longer heavy when I read the comments of genuine activists who posted.

I want to add; District One candidate Angelique Ashby is continuously paraded in front of us as an activist. I do not make light of her past efforts and labor in the Natomas district. However, I now openly criticize her current behavior of putting her activism of protecting the people aside to protect herself and get into office.

I don’t care if it’s the norm or how many others will use deceit, close their mouths as deceit and dirty games are played. If you walk with the title activist; then you better be prepared to talk the talk and open your mouth and speak up when things are wrong.

It’s painful to watch people fall from the pedestal some will put them on and move from unselfish labor to selfishness.

I believe activism is a life-time commitment of serving others. It is not a fly- by-night, any way- the way- blows, overlook, dismiss, and ignore doing what is right, to get- oneself- into public- office- commitment.

I think with activism there is no room for selfishness to the point that you become those who you are to stand against and protect people from.

I’m going to be honest. My life has been hell in the city of Sacramento and I don’t labor for fame or glory. I do so for truth and transparency so that we can have less pain. I labor for the quality of life and freedom.

It is by the Grace of God that I have the ability to stand when I’ve fallen to my knees on so many occasions never wanting to get back up. I’ve gone to sleep sometimes not wanting to awaken to another day having to face the deceit, greed, lovelessness and peacocks, such as our Mayor, who parade around this city as representatives of the people and they merely represent themselves.

By the Grace of God and if it’s the will of God; I am not going to bring you the news. I hope to bring you the reaction in hopes that one day; the deceit and games played during budget and election times will finally be done in the Spirit of Love and the Spirit of Truth.

Because as it stands for many of us our lives are painful but they become horribly painful watching all the deceit and trickery during times of elections and budgets. I appreciate the news, news reporters and I appreciate the reaction and actions of the people of the city.

In the words of Dr Martin L King, ‘We are all woven from the same garment what affects one of us directly; affects all of us indirectly.” The lack of a painless quality of life can affect the quality of life of others. The lies rampant throughout this city can bring a dark cloud of hopeless which translates into lawlessness. So it is important for us to have the news and it is important for more to see how those in the news can affect our lives.

In the Spirit of Love
Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: I am not a journalist. I am not seeking public office. I have no desires to be a politician. I am a resident of Sacramento who for the life of me, wants, desires, insists on living with less pain. I'm given the title of activist and for me it’s a life-time commitment until contentment. Unlike Angelique Ashby who stated she's honored to be endorsed by Johnson, SPOA..... (people with an agenda, where one hand washes the other) I am honored to see so many genuine activist and I would be honored to be endorsed - as a caring individual- by genuine caring individuals- the real activists of the city- whose agenda is making Sacramento a world class city of truth and transparency.

Hustle and Flow – Will District 1 Candidate, Angelique Ashby, be hustled and go with the flow?

2010-05-24T19:31:41Z

Hustle and Flow – Will District 1 Candidate, Angelique Ashby, be hustled and go with the flow?

Recently I read several comments from Ashby supporters on the Sacramento Press article, ‘Tretheway backtracks, listen to audio of Press Conference’. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/27480/Tretheway_backtracks_listen_to_audio_of_press_conference#comment-27725

It’s been mentioned, on several occasions and several different articles, that District One candidate Angelique Ashby will be fair, will stand up against corruption, will be transparent and accountable.

Ashby is continuously praised, by supporters, for her ability to take no mess. But it’s appearing she has no problem being messy if it can get her into office.

One supporter, whose comment he later removed, basically assured us that Ashby will stand up and speak up against illegal activity, corruption…

Heck, I’m not so sure.

Last night I read the May 21, 2010 Sacramento News and Review blog entry “Ashby supporters can pull dirty tricks too”, written by SN&R political reporter Cosmo Gavin, http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/snog/blogs#BlogPost-1428879, which causes me to again question Ashby’s ability to speak up against illegal activity or misconduct in city hall.

Gavin asks, “What’s worse, stealing campaign signs or stealing your opponent’s name?”

Heck, I think it’s worse to sit mute as your supporters and endorsers steal your candidates name, not to mention all the other dirty games played by several supporters and endorsers of her campaign.

I read Ashby supporter, Kevin Sharward’s, Sacramento Press article, “Signgate CoverUp Worse Than Crime”. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/24685/Tretheway_Signgate_2010_CoverUp_Worse_Than_the_Crime . It appears we’re beginning to see a double standard when it pertains to Cover-up’s. Since it appears Ashby will cover-up her mouth as supporters and endorsers run amok with dirty politics.

Continuously Sherward has made reference to “Signgate” but unfortunately the Sacramento community isn’t informed by Sharward of Cosmo Gavin’s gem of dirty politics played by Ashby supporters.

It’s concerning and disturbing for Ashby, a candidate we’re told over and over will stand up and speak out – is sitting mute.

Will Ashby go along with the flow when it pertains to dirty politics? Will Ashby’s model to get into office be by any means necessary; hook or crook? Will Ashby condone illegal activity as long as it benefits her?

To quote from the 2006 song, ‘It’s Hard out here for a pimp’ which won the Oscar for Best Achievement in Music for Motion Pictures Original Song in the movie Hustle and Flow; “You know it’s hard out here for a pimp when he trying to get this money to pay for the rent. For the Cadillac and gas money spent…”

Well, it appears in Sacramento, it’s hard out here for a candidate trying to get this money to get in office, for endorsement and dirty politics appears to cause some candidates to be hustled and to go with the flow.

Cosmo Garvin asks, in his Sacramento News & Review 'Ashby Supporters can pull dirty tricks too' blog, Are voters being led Misled?

My vote is Heck Yes!

We’re being hoodwinked, bamboozled, led astray, run amok as it appears District One candidate, Angelique Ashby, goes with the Hustle and Flow of dirty politics.

Kudos to the City of Sacramento

2010-05-22T06:29:12Z

Today I attended the 2010 City of Sacramento Neighborhood Summit. I had a wonderful time.

I enjoyed the passion of Keynote speaker, Mike McKeever, AICP, who was appointed Executive Director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments Board of Directors on December 17, 2004.

I enjoyed the passion of Keynote Speaker, Mitchel Adler, Psy.D, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist and the Director of MindBody Intelligence (MBI) Consulting. Adler quoted, Daniel J. Boorstin, "The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance- it is the illusion of knowledge.' I love that quote.

I enjoyed the Sustainability & Wellness, Maintain, Promote & Revitalize Neighborhood and Community Resources & Partnerships workshops that I attended.

Heck, lunch was real good also!

Of the workshops I attended the one I enjoyed most was 'Getting Ahead of the Crime Curve" presented by Captain Dana Matthes and Captain Dan Schiele (aka Captain Dan). Captain Dan Schiele is a credit to the Sacramento Police Department. He is a good man. He doesn't just wear a badge on his uniform shirt. He wears his heart on his sleeve, there for everyone to see. I love it!

It is good to see SPD when they reach out to the community in an atmosphere where both the community and law enforcement can just relax and see the heart of one another.

It is always good to see Council members outside of city hall. Facing them during a council session doesn't always bring out the best in me. I can't really relax at city hall sessions; since I am generally at city hall when I am concerned or upset about an issue. But at the Convention Center the atmosphere of city unity was great.

Elected officials and city residents appeared to have left their problems at the front door and embraced one another with kindness. I love it!

I enjoyed Vincene Jones, Director of Neighborhood Services. I enjoyed seeing her heart and passion towards Neighborhood Services. In fact I can go on and on with names of all the city employees who reached out in the Spirit of Love to city residents. I can go on and on writing of all the wonderful people I spoke to who came to the summit to learn, grow, educate in the Spirit of Love.

Again, I had a wonderful time.

I didn't see the Mayor, but his presence was known. I saw literature on the "Mayor's Reading Camp", the "Mayor's Emerald City"... and his name and photo on various posters/ literature.

I didn't win the raffle. I will be honest; I wanted to win one of the nice prizes. But I won something greater than the prizes of the raffle. I left with a great respect for the City of Sacramento. I left thankful for all the literature, resources, workshops, people that reached out in the Spirit of Love.

For $1.00, which is all I paid for parking for an 8hr event, I left with a priceless appreciation for the city.

Too be honest I am glad I do not reside in the County of Sacramento. Today I learned the city is where the heart is; the City of Sacramento is where the love is.

Kudos to the City of Sacramento!

Slap in the Face: Candidates Forum for City Council District 5

2010-04-21T06:36:17Z

A Slap in the Face: April 20, 2010 Candidates Forum for City Council District 5

Five Candidates are running for District 5 Council seat. However tonight at the 'Sacramento Building Healthy Communities' candidate forum only three candidates were in attendance.

Candidate Patrick Kennedy who has raised $109, 684 in campaign contributions was invited to the forum.

Candidate Jay Schenirer who has raised $82,712 in campaign contributions was invited to the forum.

Candidate Terrence Johnson who has raised $9, 430 in campaign contributions was invited to the forum.

Candidate Leticia Hilbert and Candidate Henry Harry both who raised under $1,000 in campaign contributions were not invited to the forum.

Leticia Hilbert, while not invited, attended the forum and when the forum ended Hilbert politely stood up and informed the audience "Five candidates are running for District 5 not three. Myself and another guy are also running for District 5."

Hilbert informed the audience members that she was also there if anyone wishes to talk to her before they leave. She did not inform the audience members the name of "the other guy."

I asked Hilbert why she wasn't invited. Her reply, "I don't know."

I called Henry Harry to ask why he wasn't present. He stated he had no knowledge of the event. He was not invited.

Candidates Leticia Hilbert and Henry Harry are not mentioned on the handouts given to community members in attendance. In fact on the backside of the agenda it is written "Candidates For City Council District Five" and only three candidates are listed. Highlighted are the names Terrence Johnson, Patrick Kennedy and Jay Schenirer. Below their names they give a summary for the reason they are running for Distinct 5 council seat.

Several people I spoke with at the community meeting told me they didn't know District 5 has five candidates.

At the desk located near the sign-in sheet campaign literature for Terrence Johnson, Patrick Kennedy and Jay Schenirer were available for the District 5 community members to pick up and become informed of the three candidates.

Their were no brochures, pamphlets, business cards, or mention of District 5 candidates Henry Harry or Leticia Hilbert during the Sacramento Building Healthy Communities Candidate forum for District 5.

As candidates mentioned their endorsements I wondered how many of the firefighters, Sacramento police officers, Central Labor Council and Metro Chamber members actually currently live in District 5?

As the welcome, introductions, overview, goals, findings and strategies of the Sacramento Building Healthy Communities Initiative presentation was given I began to write several questions I wanted to ask the candidates that were invited.

At 7pm the questions and answers portion of the program began. The audience/ community members were allowed to fill the room but we weren't allowed to ask questions. Six questions were presented to each Candidate invited to attend. The candidates were given two minutes each to answer the questions.

The sixth question presented to the candidates was, "If elected will you agree to meet with us during the first three months of office to follow up on the important issues we have raised here tonight?

Each candidate showed great enthusiasm and agreed to meet with the group.

None of the candidates felt compelled to inform the audience of the two candidates not invited to the forum.

None of the candidates felt compelled to question how many people in the audience actually reside in District 5?'

None of the three invited candidates asked the audience if anyone in attendance would like to ask a question which was not predetermined by the members of the Building Healthy Communities coalition?

It appeared each candidate catered their responses to fit the Sacramento Building Healthy Communities initiative.

I am low income. Sitting in the forum knowing District 5 has five candidates and only three were present, the three who raised the most campaign contributions, was concerning.

If Sacramento Building Healthy Communities only invited, seen, acknowledged the three candidates who raised the most money, how would I know if they actually invite, see, acknowledge those of us with little money who are low income residing in the district?

I called several friends who reside in District 5 who are also low income and asked if they knew of the Sacramento Building Healthy Communities forum held tonight in Oak Park and none that I spoke to who are not associated with BHI were aware of the forum.

I've sent the six questions to the two candidates who were not invited to the forum. They may not have raised enough money to be invited to the forum but perhaps they can raise the bar on some of the answers I heard tonight regarding youth programs and services.

After all was said and done tonight's Sacramento Building Healthy Communities Candidates Forum, for City Council District 5, was for several reasons, a slap in the face.

Let's Talk About the Root of Bloods and Crips

2010-04-20T06:30:07Z

It was my intention to continuing interviewing families affected by youth violence. I have not abandoned speaking to families. I feel it's important to go beyond the surface and take a good hard look at the history of gangs, specifically Bloods and Crips.

It is important we go beyond simply saying "it's gang-related" or simply blaming parents. It is necessary for us to look at any and all contributing factors if we desire effective solutions.

Before I begin I want to make it clear not all black youth are involved in gang culture.

In Sacramento gang culture has masqueraded, for some, as black youth culture. In 2005 I read several editorials in the SacBee titled, "Hmong gangs need to be addressed, Hmong gang situation urgent, Hmong gangs need swift broad response."

In one article a Hmong spokesperson stated "Hmong gangs came into existence to protect themselves from pre-existing African American and Hispanic gangs."

The article never mentioned why African American or Latino gangs came into existence. In fact I wondered if African American and Latino gangs were pre-existing why were we only addressing Hmong gangs with swift broad response? Why did Sacramento only see Hmong gang situation urgent? What about the African American and Latino youth dying at an alarming rate? I also wondered if Hmong youth were protecting themselves from African American and Latino gangs why were Hmong youth hurting Hmong Youth?

In most youth violence cases the Sacramento community is simply told "the crime is gang-related". But isn't simply saying the crime is gang-related also simply addressing youth violence on the surface? What else could it be related to? What are the other contributing factors resulting or causing youth violence?

I don't expect this topic to be embraced. But I am not writing it to make friends. I will not sugar coat or walk on egg shells the disease plaguing our community when the aftermath of pain is tremendous.

Some will not embrace the fact that parents can be a symptom and not the disease of youth violence. I respect the opinion of others. I ask that you please take a moment and think outside the blame the parent box. But are we simply addressing a complex problem by simply looking on the surface for parental blame? While some parents are a contributing factor the ugly truth is the root of youth violence is deep rooted even below parental blame.

Sacramento address gangs in the spirit of anger, frustration, hate, prejudice, ignorance and greed and visions to find solutions were clouded and the disease plaguing our community has spread.

In the Spirit of love and truth we will see through the fog of deceit and misinformation. If we want to truthfully address gangs shouldn't we start from the beginning looking at the root and not simply pull on easy to grab branches?

Why should the government address gangs? Because if truth is told throughout history the government has had a role in division caused within the Black community. The government had a role with the division of house negro and field negro, Malcolm X and Martin L King, Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, Black Panther Party and US Organization.

If we don't hold the government accountable for its responsibility it's possible all efforts of the community will be unsuccessful after-all so many profit off crime occuring in a community divided into victims and suspects.

It is felt that youth are angry and the anger could be resolved with simple anger management training. Should we be taught to suppress our anger? Can we simply manage anger? Or should we go beyond the surface and understand why some of us are angry?

How effective will we address youth violence if we simply manage an anger instead of addressing the reason for the anger? You can't suffocate / manage deep anger because sooner or later it erupts.

Doesn't it seem silly to address youth violence without first truthfully understanding the past? Why is it so easy for some to believe Black youth simply woke up one day with dysfunctional parents and decided to kill one another? If we know the history of gangs we can use the past to understand the current psychological frozen state and redirect the future of at-risk youth failing prey to youth violence.

I ask that you please watch the below documentary. I must warn you it will not be easy for some to watch. There is explicit language.

Please be patient in watching it. Please don't stop watching it mid way if you feel offended. Please don't take it personally. It's not an attack on Sacramento Law enforcement. It begins with two topics, racism and police brutality, which are not easy for many to accept or watch. But if we watch it in its entirety I believe we can begin to have a constructive bridge of dialog in addressing gangs.

The documentary is titled, "Bastards of the Party". I believe in Sacramento we have Bastards, the illegitimate children, of Reagan and Bush War on Drugs and War on Crime. But before we discuss the current state we should look at the past.

I do not believe we should rest or dwell in the past. But the key to the future could be the same key to unlocking the past if we want to effectively and significantly address a youth gang crisis. Since Sacramento has never fully addressed the past of gang culture sweeping through this city it's hard to imagine we could or would effectively address the current state of violence.

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/bastards-of-the-party/

Webinar to Address Gang Prevention

2010-04-17T17:05:32Z

Below is Information of an upcoming event to address Youth & Gangs. If you're interested in participating I encourage you to please register. Also please forward the information to any interested person or organization. Thank you

Webinar To Address Gang Prevention
On April 21, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. E.T., the National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent or At Risk will host a Webinar on gang prevention. Gang Prevention From Multiple Perspectives: Federal, Research, and Practice will explore youth involvement in gangs, including current data and initiatives, research, and prevention and reduction strategies, with emphasis on school-based programs.

Presenters will include staff from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with gang-related expertise.The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice.

The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center is designed for the Education of Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or at Risk (NDTAC)

NDTAC, according to their web site, serves as a National resource center to provide direct assistance to states, schools, communities, and parents seeking information on the education of children and youth who are considered neglected, delinquent, or at risk.

A primary focus of the center is the education of youth involved in the justice system.

For additional information on the National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or at Risk (NDTAC) For additional information on the efforts of NDTAC go to www.neglected-delinquent.org/

Event Title: Gang Prevention From Multiple Perspectives: Federal, Research, and Practice

Event Type: Webinar
Event Date: April 21, 2010, 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET
Event Description:
Low school attachment and poor academic achievement are known risk factors for youth to become involved in gangs (source: “Frequently Asked Questions About Gangs” from the National Gang Center, http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/About/FAQ#q15). Title I, Part D, funding and programs can target gang reduction and prevention programs in an effort to achieve better outcomes for youth who are neglected, delinquent, or at-risk. This Webinar will explore youth involvement in gangs, including current data and initiatives, research, and prevention and reduction strategies. Emphasis will be given to school-based programs.

Dennis Mondoro, Strategic Community Development Officer, and Steffie Rapp, Program Manager, from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), will provide a Federal perspective on youth involvement in gangs, discuss OJJDP’s current gang prevention initiatives, and share national data on this topic. Dr. Finn Esbensen, the Desmond Lee Professor of Youth Crime and Violence in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, will discuss the risk factors of gang involvement and how gang prevention and reduction programs should address those risk factors, with a focus on the education setting. Tim Cowan, Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT), School Resource Officer, Garland Police Department, Garland, Texas, and Tony Ostos, Program Manager, Gang Resistance Is Paramount (GRIP), Paramount, CA, will provide insight on gangs and discuss the characteristics, strategies and outcomes associated with each program.

Grandmother of Murdered Victim Jack Lawrence Speaks Up

2010-04-16T01:09:21Z

On March 15, 2006 Ada Jefferson stood over her sink washing her hair. Her phone rang. Ada recalls looking at the phone and wondering why her friend was calling in the middle of the afternoon.

Ada remembers saying to herself, "she should be at work. I wonder why she's calling?" She could have kept washing her hair and returned the call when she was finished but she felt a strong urge to immediately answer the call.

Ada remembers four years ago as if it was yesterday. She begins to state everything that occurred. "I answered the phone. My friend said Jack's been shot." I replied, 'Jack who?"

In her mind she was trying to think of all the people she knew name Jack. The last person to come to her mind was her 18yr-old grandson. The last person she thought would be shot was her grandson Jack.

The caller said, 'Your grandson Jack has been shot." Ada stated in disbelief, 'He just left. I just dropped him off and returned home and started washing my hair"

She ran for her keys and ran out the house with her hair soak and wet.

Ada drove pass the Evergreen Shopping Complex where she dropped Jack off. She saw yellow police crime scene tape, multiple police cars and a crowd gathering. Her daughter called her cell phone and informed her Jack was being taken to UC Davis Hospital.

Ada says she didn't focus on the crime scene she kept driving rushing to UC Davis Hospital, 'My mind was only on getting to the hospital," Ada states. She arrived to UC Davis Medical Center and was told her grandson had died on arrival.

Jack was shot and killed on March 15, 2006 from a gunshot wound to the chest.

A rumor has recently surfaced that on the anniversary of Jack's death another youth dies.

March 17, 2010, Marque Alexander Johnson, who would have been 13yrs old when Jack Lawrence was killed, left his home headed to school. 17yr-old Marque Johnson was shot and killed a block from where 18yr-old Jack Lawrence was shot and killed four years prior.

A 20yr-old youth, Ceron Hill, was arrested at 22yrs-old he was convicted for the death of Jack Lawrence. Hill received 25yrs to Life for 1st degree murder. Hill was also given an enhancement sentence with an additional 25yrs for shooting someone and inflicting Great Bodily injury or death and two additional years for being an ex-con with a gun.

In a previous Sacramento Press article Bridgitt Osby mother of 17yr-old slain victim Marque Johnson, states, "The story in our case is that a group of young men were mourning the loss of their friend from three years ago. They decided to get revenge on the first brother they came across, and they came across Marque. He would be alive today if those disturbed individuals would have received some type of help when they had to deal with their tragedy"

18yr-old Jack Lawrence funeral was filled to capacity. Youth filled the hallway and the street outside the funeral home.

17yr-old Marque Johnson's funeral was filled to capacity. Youth mourned throughout the church, the hallway and outside in the parking lot.

68yr old Ada Jefferson is shocked, outraged and heart-broken to learn of the rumor that someone would take the life of another youth and say they are doing so for her grandson.

'The person responsible for taking my grandson's life is sentenced. He was given 52 years. He's not getting out of prison. Why would someone shoot someone else and say they are doing it for Jack?" says Ada. '

Ada had not heard of the rumor before today and does not condone violence. A powerful voice leaves her small framed body as she firmly states, "Why would they shoot someone who had nothing to do with Jack's death. Why would they shoot someone period? It makes my stomach quiver and my heart hurt. It makes me sick. If they want to shoot someone they should join the service go to Afghanistan. Be productive not destructive."

Ada opens her cell phone and shows a picture saved on the front screen of her phone. 'I open my phone and I see Jack. I will never get over the death of my grandson. It will be with me the rest of my life."

She sadly looks away as if her mind is reflecting on all the memories of her grandson. "I see a young man walking down the street and I say he reminds me of Jack. I miss my grandson. I loved my grandson. My grandson loved everyone. I didn't know how many people loved my grandson until I took him to a party and he got out the car and everyone was running to him. I had no idea Jack knew so many people. His funeral was standing room only with people outside who couldn't get in."

Ada adds with a strong voice, "This violence has to stop. What purpose does it serve to have another Black young man killed? It doesn't serve any purpose; it just makes more turmoil in the community. It brews hatred. I don't know who is doing this. They can't really be a friend of Jack's. Jack wasn't a promoter of violence. Jack was a peacemaker."

Jack's family and friends still deeply mourn his passing. Jack has been gone four years. Ada has a picture of Jack over her fireplace. Her 2 yr-old granddaughter walks in the room looks at the picture and says, 'That's Jack." Ada states, "Yes, that's Jack" Ada says she talks to her granddaughter about Jack. She doesn't let his memory die.

Jack lived with his grandmother since he was one month old. Ada states, ' I raised Jack. Jack was raised to help people when he could and not do them any harm. You have a right to self defense but these things that are happening is not self-defense."

When asked what she would like to tell the family of Marque Alexander, Ada replies, 'My heart aches for your loss. Nobody has the right to take a life. It should be on God's hands not ours to take a life. Everyone should be teaching their kids that. I don't know any of Jack's true friends who would do this. My heart hurts for your family. Everybody is somebody's child. I try to help people whenever I can. It doesn't hurt to help somebody. I raised Jack the same way. Jack would not want anyone to die. I am so sorry for your loss."

Ada wants to send a message to the youth. She cries out, 'Think about what you are doing. Please Stop. How would you feel if someone killed your relative someone you love? So many people are going to hurt. Is this how we want to live? Everybody has a right to peace of mind, safety and civilization. Concentrate on how to help each other. If you are not part of the solution then you are the part of the problem. Please be a problem solver."

With a firm voice she asks, 'Where are all these guns coming from?"

When asked what she would like to see come from the death of her grandson she replies, 'Not death. I would not want to see anyone else die. I would want to see life come from Jack's death. I want the young people to live. I wish we could start a forum, some sort of Stop the Violence Committee to brainstorm and find solutions."

When asked if there is anything else she would like to add. Ada replies, 'My grandson is Jack Maurice Lawrence. He was born Jack Maurice Lawrence and he died Jack Maurice Lawrence. He was not Jack the Smack. I don't appreciate anyone taking a life or saying they want to take a life on behalf of my grandson. I don't appreciate it at all. Jack was a lovable person. I taught him this way. He didn't misuse anyone or take advantage of anybody. That's why so many people were there and so many loved him."

Ada takes a deep breath and states, 'My grandson wasn't arrested, wanted or even suspected for any crime before he died. How dare anyone commit a crime, or say they would commit a crime, murder of all things, and say they are dong it for my grandson. A friend wouldn't make Jack a suspect now or hurt his family like this. One friend came over to clean my gutters and no one who loved Jack would take someone else life."

Ada Jefferson catches her breath again and with power she states, 'Only God has the right to take a life."

Amen

County of Sacramento Turning a Blind Eye and Deaf Ear to Youth violence

2010-04-14T11:47:02Z

On April 12, 2010, at 2:40 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Double Homicide at Howe Avenue and Bluebird Lane. The deputies found 27yr-old Stefon Mayers Jr, lying next to the car’s driver’s-side door. Mayers suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was able to step out of the car but collapsed next to the car.

Deputies also located 18yr-old Jazzmye Sharnae Bruner sitting in the front passenger seat of the car, dead at the scene, with a single gunshot wound.

Will County Supervisor Sue Peters address the violence or the families suffering as a result of the violence in her district?

With the exception of Cortez Quinn, chief of staff for Supervisor Dickinson, who has continuously attended Youth Violence meetings and with the exception of County Supervisor Roger Dickinson who has held several Gang Task Force meetings

County Supervisors Jimmie Yee, Don Nottoli, Roberta MacGlashan and Sue Peters appear to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear towards the violence surrounding the County of Sacramento.

How can our County Supervisors truly be blind to the violence within the County of Sacramento? A 16yr-old is on trial for shooting and killing a Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy. A 14yr old girl was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for her role in the murder of 17yr old Avid Chand. Youth are dying and youth are being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Where are the County Supervisors during this crisis?

The violence, a crisis, which has existed for decades in both the City and County of Sacramento has never significantly or effectively been addressed. Below is just a portion of the deaths, arrests / sentences for MURDER over the last 16 months only since January 2009.
Families, friends and residents are mourning as our children are dying on Sacramento streets and becoming the walking dead in California State Prisons.

-April 12, 2010- Double Homicide 18yr old Jazzmyne Sharnae Bruner and 27yr old Stefon Maye rs Jr shot and killed on a County of Sacramento Street

-April 2010- Victor Ortega convicted of killing 18yr old Marcus Mayes whose body laid dead on a County of Sacramento Street

-March 2010- 26yr old Salvador Heredia-Arriaga shot and killed 2600 block of River Plaza Drive in South Natomas

-March 2010 - 19yr old shot and killed at Bowling Alley Country Lane

-March 2010- 17yr old Marque Alexander Johnson shot and killed on a city of Sacramento street

-March 2010- 20yr old Lan Anh Le arrested for the violent struggle and death of 26yr old Monica Anne Anderson- Greenback Lane

-February 2010- Trial begins for 16yr old Jimmy Siackasorn for shooting death of SSD Detective VI Nguyen

-February 2010- 17yr old Rebecca Layson murdered. 18yr old Anton Johnson arrested, 17yr old Tyler Espinoza arrested. - Citrus Heights

-February 2010- 22yr old David Blanks killed 3600 block of No Freeway Blvd. 21yr old Sean Joyner arrested, 20yr old Nicholas Newsome arrested

-February 2010- Dominick West convicted of killing 21yr old Mary Ourk on 12th & W street in the city of Sacramento

-January 2010- 18yr old Richard Hall in custody for shooting death of Mathew Maurizzio- County of Sacramento, Dixieanne Ave

-January 2010- 22yr old shot multiple times in Sacramento County restaurant in the County of Sacramento

-January 2010- 26yr old Shawn West lying in pool of blood shot and killed in the County of Sacramento at Jack in the Box. 21yr old Cort Milgrim, 19yr old Joel Satchell, 21yr old Andre Powe arrested charged with murder facing life without parole.

-January 2010- 27yr old Amber Manoa shot and killed in the County of Sacramento. 27yr old Albert Dennis arrested for murder

-January 2010- Two dead, one injured in Arden Arcade shooting 18yr old Marcus Thompson, 29yr old Eleea Langley shot and killed. 18yr old shot/ injured

-January 2010- Navarro sentenced to life without parole in the city of Sacramento shooting death of 21yr old Adrian Hutchins

-January 2010- James Winters sentenced to 40yrs to Life for the murder of Alfredo Perez in the County of Sacramento

-January 2010- 19yr old Perell Marquise Waters shot and killed. Three arrested, 20yr old Marcus Scott, 19yr old Ronald Grant, 20yr old Jumal Gray

-December 2009- 21yr old Emmanuel Pickens killed outside nightclub on Del Paso Blvd

-December 2009- 21yr old Michael Wiesz charged with homicide of security guard/ bouncer at city of Sacramento midtown night club.

-December 2009- Arrested at 17yrs old Anh-Tuan Dao Pham is sentenced at 19yrs old to 39yrs to life accused of shooting/ killing 17yr old Dominique Hickman and wounding 2 others less than an hour before killing Hickman.

-December 2009- Bobby Chiu at 22yrs old is sentenced to 26yrs to Life for killing 15yr old Roberto Treadway. Chiu was 16yrs old when arrested for the shooting.

-December 2009- 17yr old arrested for killing 23yr old Carlos Cervantes Jr. Cervantes died from a single gun shot wound in the county of Sacramento Fruitridge Neighborhood.

-December 2009 Two arrested, 26yr old Dominique Givens and 21yr old London Shaw for the County of Sacramento shooting of Sevon Boles near Florin Road and Sunnyslope

-December 2009- 19yr old Perell Marquise Waters an expectant father is shot and killed on the 1900 block of San Juan Road in the County of Sacramento.

-December 2009- 20yr old Jonah Simms shot and killed. 23yr old Arthur McCall arrested for city of Sacramento homicide on Bowles Street.

-December 2009- 23yr old Carlos Cervantes shot and killed gunshot wound to upper body in the County of Sacramento, Fruitridge area.

-December 2009- 21yr old Francisco Medina-Tomas gun downed in County of Sacramento street. 21yr old Jose Gutierrez, 20yr old Juan Gonzalez arrested and charged with murder

-December 2009- 22yr old Vardan Abramyan and three other youth in early 20's Arthur Battle, Jason Dillingham, Isaiah Barron sentenced to life without parole in pay for hire murder in the County of Sacramento

-November 2009- 21yr old Juan Carlos Sanchez shot and killed behind Ross on Zinfandel Dr and Folsom Blvd in County of Sacramento 19yr old Deandre Brooks arrested and charged with murder

-November 2009- 21yr old shot and killed in county of Sacramento, North Highlands, three 24yr olds arrested and charged with murder

-November 2009- 21yr old Curtis Chapman sentenced to Life without Parole plus 25yrs, 20yr old Richard Hundley sentenced to Life without parole both charged with shooting/ killing 33yr old in County of Sacramento.

-November 2009- Four youth in 20's wanted for city of Sacramento shooting/ killing on 3300 block of V Street

-November 2009- Arrested at 18 and 19yrs of age, 22yr old Dontae Stirgus and 23 yr old Tommie Hall face 21yrs to Life for the County of Sacramento shooting of Domikos Kantrell Jones

-October 2009- 24yr old Michael Thames shot and killed in his home. Several teens are sought for the city of Sacramento shooting

-October 2009- 19yr old Anh-Tuan Dao Pham arrested at 16yrs old, for shooting/ killing Dominique Hickman and wounding two others after he gun down Hickman in the city of Sacramento

-October 2009- 19yr old Doshmen Johnson arrested at 18yrs of age sentenced to Life without parole plus 25yrs plus 10yrs for the murder of a 27yr in the County of Sacramento

-October 2009- 20yr old Nicholas Newsome arrested for the shooting death of 22yr old David Blanks in the City of Sacramento

-October 2009- 24yr old arrested for double homicide in the County of Sacramento of 23yr old Tamil Robbins, 24yr old Shawn Cope.

-October 2009- 19yr old Frank Abella sentenced to Life without Parole for the death of disabled man in the County of Sacramento

-October 2009- 19yr old Daniel Russell and 20yr old Calvin Pearson sentenced to life without Parole. They were arrested at 16yrs of age for the killing of a 90yr old woman

-October 2009- 21yr old Dominic Campos body found dead in Florin Road parking lot in the City of Sacramento

-October 2009- 18yr old William Virdee fatally shot in his car in the County of Sacramento

-October 2009- 16yr old boy shot and killed walking down street in County of Sacramento

-September 2009- 21yr old Darryl Jackson acquitted. His co defendant, Jim Cage, arrested at 27yrs old and sentenced to 50yrs to life for the City of Sacramento murder of 27yr old Michael Barron

-August 2009- Youth sought in Arden Arcade Apt homicide

-July 2009- 22yr old Freddie Rimpson, Jay Pierce sentenced to Life without Parole for County of Sacramento homicide/ robbery attempting to raise bail money for their friend.

-July 2009- 20yr old Anthony Race arrested for murder of 19yr old Issac Bartkovsky in the County of Sacramento

-July 2009-26yr old Tersha Brown fatally shot in the head in the city of Sacramento

-June 2009- 26yr old Sevon Boles shot and killed in city of Sacramento

-June 2009- 14yr old Ronald Kenoly killed. 13yr old suspect turns himself in. 14yr old arrested 8000 Block of Heritage Hill Drive

-June 2009- 23yr old Roy Houston arrested for city of Sacramento murder of 21yr old Donald Mc Call. Houston was 19yrs old when suspected of the shooting.

-June 2009-Andre Pulido arrested at 24yrs of age sentenced to Life without Parole for city of Sacramento death of 21yr old Rodrigo Rodriguez

-June 2009- 23yr old shot and killed in city of Sacramento - downtown

-May 2009- Eight in custody 22yr old Corey Carmicle, 21yr old Charles Ferrell, 19yr old Willie Harris, 22yr old Willie Toliver, two 17yr olds,15yr old and 23yr old Leighni Hall for County of Sacramento homicide of 24yr old Patrick Razaghzadeh

-May 2009- 20yr old Christopher Montejano shot and killed in City of Sacramento - Oak Park

-May 2009- 19yr old Frederick Howard body found behind a County of Sacramento garbage bin

-May 2009- 21yr old Phillip Cousins shot to death in Valley Hi, 19yr old also shot gunshot in torso in city of Sacramento

-May 2009- 22yr old Michael Scott sentenced to Life without Parole, 21yr old Ian Clark Johnson sentenced to 15yrs to Life both charged with murder of 18yr old Shanneel Singh in the city of Sacramento (arrested at 18 and 19yrs of age)

-April 2009- 22yr old Lavelle Chapman convicted of shooting death of 18 yr old Pasha Voskoboinik in County of Sacramento

-April 2009- 22yr old Cristo Lopez, 23yr old Andrew Lynch, 31yr old Rebecca Brousseau arrested in homicide of Khet Saelee in Fruitridge area alley

-April 2009- 19yr old John Faavesi (arrested at 16yrs old) convicted of manslaughter sentenced to 36 years 8 months for death of 26yr old Sylvia Guerrero

-April 2009- 18yr old Emanuel Michel shot and killed on 57th Avenue in the city of Sacramento

-April 2009- 21yr old Hung Tround arrested for homicide

-April 2009- 22yr old Oscar Ceballos arrested charged with shooting death on MLK Blvd in the city of Sacramento

-April 2009- 20yr old Curtis Anderson shot and killed gunshot wound to the head. 25yr old Jamaral Smith arrested

-April 2009-23yr old Leopoldo Velasco III shot and killed on the 3900 block of 17th Avenue

-April 2009- 17yr old Jarrell Tyes arrested at 15yrs old sentenced to life in prison for the county of Sacramento shooting/ death of 16yr old Jelisa Office

-April 2009- 23yr old Ceron Hill convicted to 52yrs to Life for the shooting death of 18yr old Jack Lawrence

-April 2009- Arrested at 20yrs of age 22yr old Rashad Mack, arrested at 19yrs old 21yr old Ulysses Walker sentenced to life without parole plus 25years for city of Sacramento robbery/ shooting.

-February 2009- 25yr old shot and killed in City of Sacramento Altos/ Eleanor Avenue

-February 2009- Arrested at 21yrs old Sirtice Melonson is sentenced to life without parole for shooting death of Navid Chand. Arrested at 14yrs of age 17yr old Sarah Weeden sentenced to 27yrs to life for murder of Navid Chand in the County of Sacramento

-February 2009- Jury convicts 20yr old Jonathan Hampton who was arrested at 18yrs old for the death of 19yr old Jonathan Giurbino in city of Sacramento - South Land Park

-January 2009- 21yr old found multiple gunshot wounds, 27yr old shot and killed in the County of Sacramento

-January 2009- 20yr old Kyle Ray Smith killed in the city of Sacramento - Pocket area. 18yr old Nicholas Moreno arrested

*** This is not a complete list of youth death/ arrest/ sentences within the last 16 months. This list does not include youth shot who survived nor does it include youth facing life in prison for crimes which do not involve murder. Hundreds have been buried in Sacramento and hundreds more will live and die in California prisons.

How can the County of Sacramento turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to a crisis? Is it possible our elected officials value money more than they do the lives, freedom, quality of life, peace of mind,... of some Sacramento residents?

A Mother's Love / Pain

2010-04-13T03:18:06Z

On May 6, 1992, Bridgitte Osby gave birth to Marque Alexander Johnson, a beautiful 8-pound-9-ounce, 21-inch-long son.

Marque wasn't a baby in a hurry to come into this world. He was not born prematurely. In fact, he was two weeks overdue. Marque didn't appear to want to leave the safety and comfort of his mother's womb. But the time had come for him to enter the world he would embrace with passion.

Bridgitte wanted to give birth naturally for many reasons, including to avoid difficulty and pain generally caused by C-section surgery. But due to complications, she was given an emergency C-section.

Marque was taken from his mother's womb at birth by a physician so he could have life. That life was prematurely and painfully taken 17 years later by neighborhood youth.

Shortly after Marque was born, Bridgitte heard the doctor say, "The baby went into duress." Bridgitte recalled her pain, as she thought she might loose her son before he was given a chance at life.

She asked the doctor what going into duress meant and what was wrong. Bridgitte learned the umbilical cord was around her son’s neck and his heart rate was dropping. She prayed for him to live.

The doctor yelled, "Put her out," and Bridgitte was given anesthetic. She awoke to hear the nurses talking. One nurse said, "What happens in this case?" Another responded, "He didn't make it."

Several mothers were in labor giving birth at the North Sacramento Kaiser hospital that day. One baby didn't make it. Bridgitte was concerned the nurses were speaking of her baby, but learned another mother's child did not make it. By the grace of God, Bridgitte's son was alive, and he would live life extending love and loving so many.

Bridgitte held her son, and as she looked at him, she felt all was well. She held him and said, "You are beautiful. You are perfect."

His birth was complicated, but his death was even more complicated. It’s not possible to simply say, "Put her out," and take the pain away and bring life to Marque.

Many are asking, "What happened in this case?" But for family and friends mourning the Marque’s passing, it's not just another case, not just another death, it is the absence of life and the absence of the love and joy given to them from Marque that makes his tragic death so difficult.

"Marque came in with a bang, and he went out with a bang," Bridgitte said.

On March 17, 2010, three shots were fired. Marque was hit in the leg and in the chest – the latter proving fatal.

Marque is described by all who knew him as a peacemaker. Marque's family does not want Marque's life and tragic death to be in vain. Marque's body is buried, but his loving spirit lives on. We are left with an aftermath of pain, questions, answers and solutions which we can not bury.

Part 2: Interview with: Bridgitte Osby, mother of slain homicide victim Marque Alexander Johnson. Bridgitte will not be able to plan for her son’s high school graduation ceremony. She was instead faced with planning his funeral.

Question: Why do you think the youth are killing each other?
Bridgitte Osby: I feel it's not enough discipline. Not enough Jesus. I also think if the youth realized where they came from, they'd choose a different path. The story in our case is that a group of young men were mourning the loss of their friend from three years ago. They were high from ecstasy pills and drunk and decided to get revenge on the first brother they came across, and they came across Marque.He would be alive today if those disturbed individuals would have received some type of help when they had to deal with their tragedy.

Question: From this tragedy, what would you like to see occur?
Bridgitte Osby: I think my request is outrageous. I'd like to see the violence stop. Parents should support each other, come together, get it together.

Question: Do you feel there is more that Mayor Kevin Johnson or our elected officials can do to curb the violence?
Bridgitte Osby: This community really needs some assistance. There are many young people that are mourning the loss of Marque, and they need help. If our elected officials don't do something, the cycle is going to repeat itself.

Question: Do you think a Boys & Girls club or other program, opportunity or resource is needed in Valley High School, and if so, what type of program do you think could possibly prevent area violence?
Bridgitte Osby: I do believe that this area needs a Boys & Girls club, a police athletic league and a community center with counselors and educators.

Question: Is there any advice you could give another mother to help save the life of her child?
Bridgitte Osby: I really don't know what to say to another mother except don't let your child catch the bus, but that is impossible in most cases. I thought he would be safe at 7 a.m., but I was wrong. I feared when he was out at night. I really don't know what to say. If he broke the rules their were consequences and he stayed on restriction. But I had to let him go to school.

Question: Was Marque on any type of probation for criminal charges?

Bridgitte Osby: Marque was not on probation or in trouble with the law at all.

Question: Are you employed? Do you pay taxes?

Bridgitte Osby: Yes I am employed. Yes, I pay taxes and worked since I was 16yrs old starting at Orange Julius in Florin Mall. I have paid taxes since 1986.

Question: How has Marque's death affected you?

Bridgitte Osby: I am numb.

** Each week, I will interview a family member and/or friend of Marque's to learn how his death has affected their lives and to learn what they would like to see come from his tragic death. I give special thanks to the family of Marque Alexander for their love and support in sharing their love, pain and story.

Marque Alexander Johnson- A Dove of Peace

2010-03-26T01:10:35Z

Marque Alexander Johnson - A Dove of Peace

Matthew Chapter 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Chapter 10:29-31. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows"

I awoke March 24, with an overwhelming pain in my heart. I did not want to see another youth laying lifeless in a casket. I did not want to see another mother in pain mourning the premature death of her child. I did not want to see young eyes swollen in pain walking in a psychological frozen state as the shadow of death took another young life.

But I got up and began to prepare to leave to see the pain existing far too often in Sacramento, the city time magazine once voted as the best place to raise a family.

I often wonder if Time magazine seen us, those of us, who can not raise our children from the dead or those of us who can not financially afford to visit our children being raised in a California state prison?

A community divided into youth victims and youth suspects, plagued by the death of our youth on our streets or the walking dead arrested and sentenced to live and / or die in a California state prison, are constantly in mourning --constantly in pain.

I left my home feeling discouraged as I drove my 17yr old son and his 18yr old friend to attend their friend Marque's funeral service. I prayed as I drove to the church for God to protect those of us residing in the valley of the shadow of death.

I arrived at Pleasant AM Christian Praise Center an hour early. I knew the church would be crowded. The vigil for Marque Johnson was filled with hundreds of Sacramento area teens and youth.

The church quickly filled to capacity. Young people filled the church entrance. An overflow of youth lined along the hallways. The church parking lot and adjacent sidewalks were filled with youth whose faces showed a great deal of confusion and pain.

A Pastor begin to sing, 'His eye is on the Sparrow' by Civilla Martin. As the Pastor sung cries echoed throughout the church.

I watch tears flow down young boys faces. The boys cried silently. I noticed the boys did not wipe their tears away. They often sat motionless as if they wanted the tears to form a gulf of water to drown their pain or carry them away from the sorrow. They appeared to suffocate as if they swallowed their smile.

One young man seated next to me closed his eyes. Tears flowed on his young face and he quietly said, "Marque, you will never be forgotten."

Loud cries could be heard from young girls. Often times their cries weren't silent and would be heard throughout the room. The girls would quickly wipe the tears away only to have to wipe the next round of tears that would follow. It appeared the girls didn't want the tears to drop. It was as if they didn't want the tears to fall and be forgotten.

Many cried, "We won't forget you. We love you Marque",

Marque laid in a Brown casket. As the service began and the family was escorted to their seats the casket was closed. But Marque's love filled the room. Every heart in the room was open. Every heart was touched by the tragic death of a 17yr old Sacramento son.

I brought a camera to take photos of the funeral. I wanted to take photographs to show people the pain existing, to show all the young faces and the hurt which exists within the community. Having attended so many youth funerals I knew a picture will be worth a thousand words.

I began taking a couple photographs as the service began. But then the battery was dead. I asked a church official to allow me to plug the battery charger but the charger I had did not fit the camera.

I took out my cell phone and began taking pictures of the tears and the cries but suddenly I felt frozen as Marque's mother stood from her seat and by the Grace of God she appeared to walk on air to the microphone.

Softly she stated, "Thank you all for coming. Thank you all for being here. I can't move on my own. God is moving, walking and talking for me. I can't move. I want you all to know God is going to take care of this."

It broke my heart when a young girl attending the funeral cried "Oh God, this hurts. Where's God this hurts? Why Marque?"

It is at this point I will temporally stop writing of Marque's funeral. I realize now that for Part One of this story I didn't need a camera. I didn't need photos of all the pain. The pain is a symptom. Pain is not the disease. If I really walk by faith and not by sight why was I looking so hard at the pain?

If I am to believe in the unseen and not the seen, why are photos needed for the first part of this story? The first part of this story should be about the unseen-- God's love and not the pain that could be seen on faces throughout the room.

I learned from attending Marque's funeral that I walked into the church by sight and not by faith. I walked in to find the pain and hurt that I knew would be there. But listening to all of Marque's family overlook their own pain to extend love to all the youth in attendance I learned I was looking for pain in a room filled with love. God is love.

I can not write of the extensive pain first because God should come first. God is love. God is good. The words of the young girls cries echo in my mind, " It hurts, Where's God, it hurts?"

I know now, It was the love of God that caught Marque before he fell. It is the love of God that brought Marque to love so many and in return to be loved by hundreds of Sacramento area teens.

God allows us to have pain. Pain is a trigger, it's a warning that something is not right. Pain warns us of diseases so we can prevent them. Without pain our bodies would often not realize that something is terribly wrong and give us the opportunity to fix it.

Where's God? God was in the room with all of us in pain and many lives will be saved having known Marque Alexander Johnson. Marque didn't bring the shadow of death. He brought the pain to give us a trigger, a warning that something is terribly wrong.

Marque's passing brought hundreds of Sacramento area teens to pain, a symptom, to see the cancerous disease of violence plaguing our community. Some youth had ran from the shadow of death fighting to live and living to die but realized as they sat in the funeral service that they could run but not hide when death can chase them down and knock them also to the ground.

Some youth thought the shadow will never reach them and that it affects others and doesn't follow close to home. Some were unaware of the shadow of death that affects so many Sacramento area families until someone they loved was taken from them.

And their were some in attendance who appeared to be in a psychological frozen state, appeared to be the living dead having seen so many funerals. It appeared for some the dead were there to bury the dead. But they each loved Marque and they each were in pain.

Marque's family members said he was a peace-maker in the family. Marque, in his passing can very well be a dove of peace. His death brought so much pain to hundreds of youth who might not otherwise have seen the disease plaguing our community.

The very hairs of our head are all numbered. But we are of more value than many sparrows. I closed my eyes and sing, "Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion. A constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me."

I went looking for the pain and it was interrupted by a family possessing so much love. Their is no photo I can submit for this particular article. Their is no camera to create a picture that can capture the unseen. Thank you Marque Alexander Johnson for teaching me in your tragic passing to walk by faith and not by sight, to look for the unseen and not the seen.

Marque is truly appearing to be a Dove of Peace.

Rhonda Erwin
(I learned a great deal from talking with Marque and his family. Marque's father, Ward Johnson, said, "I don't want Marque's death to be in vain." Marque's mother called me yesterday hours after the service and her heart is amazing. I will meet with his mother Bridgitte, stepfather Anthony, Marque's siblings, relatives and friends asking each what they'd like to see come from this tragedy. I'm suppose to meet his father at Marque's grave site. I will write what he hopes to see come from this tragedy. I will also add many photos to this series of articles. I've attended many youth funerals and I know in my heart, by everything I was shown at the funeral, Marque Johnson deserves more than one article so there is much more to come)

Vigil light for Marque Johnson

2010-03-18T06:28:27Z

Hundreds of Sacramento teens filled the streets mourning the death of 17yr-old Marque Johnson. Often in the silent night a loud cry could be heard by someone crying out "Not Marque, Please not Marque."

Most of the teens cried silently with tears flowing heavily and strongly down their young faces.

Marque is loved and will be missed by many. It was apparent the teen touched many lives. At one point I counted 287 people but then I lost count as many would come and some could no longer stand and were escorted off by friends or family members.

Teens held on to one another carrying teddy bears, candles, pictures and posters each wanting Marque to know they love him.

Someone rode to the vigil in a minivan and written in chalk on the windows were the words: 'Rest In Peace Marque. Sunrise May 6, 1992 - Sunset March 16, 2010."

A man made his way through the crowd and said, 'I am Marque's uncle. I love my nephew. Thank you all for coming" and he began telling the teens of all the violence and how much he cares for them and wants them to live.

Marquis grandmother addressed the crowd singing spiritual songs. As she sang the teens begin to sing with her and many who hadn't cried began to cry. His grandmother's pain was evident and her soft voice trembled of God's love. His grandmother said, "They killed his body but you were NOT able to kill his soul. Marque gave his life to Christ."

Marque's mother appeared to walk on air. Her movements were slow. In her face all I could see was pain and sorrow. After Marque's grandmother spoke his mother said, "I want to also say, thank you. Yes, Marque's gave his life to Christ last week." His mother's love was powerful yet she was so weak. A mother shouldn't have bury her child. Her child is suppose to one day bury her.

Another family member stated, 'It's okay, he's alright. He's with God. He's in a better place. Vengeance is mine said the Lord. I want everyone to be safe and stay safe." A family in deep pain, who needs comforting, was there in the spirit of love to comfort the hundreds of teens filling the sidewalk of Summerdale and Mack Road.

Many teens, who could get through the crowd, lined up to sign the many posters. Youth stood reading the many Bible verses and scriptures placed on the fence near where Marque's breathless body laid.

The candles would burn low as the teens stood for hours, holding one another and sharing their fondest memory of Marque.

A woman standing near the crowd said, "this shouldn't of happened to him. He was a good boy. He came to my kids birthday parties and was always so polite" She cried and walked away.

Officers from the Sacramento Police Department were present. The officers stood in the background not disturbing the crowd. Sgt D.T. Martin stated, "We're here to make sure it is a safe environment for everybody. We know it is ongoing problems in the area. We don't want it to be interrupted by folks who may be responsible or associated with the death."

The family and the teens attending the vigil were treated with the dignity and respect they truly deserve as they mourn the passing of Marque Johnson.

This morning a mother sent her son off to school never thinking he would die before reaching school. She had no idea the son she loves so much would never walk back through her door.

Tonight, a child of God, Marque Johnson is mourned by hundreds who stood with tears flowing down their young faces on a dark Sacramento street. They can't believe their friend is gone. In the darkness their was no silent night as the cries echo for Marque Johnson.

My prayers, love and support is extended to all who knew and loved Marque Johnson.

Rhonda Erwin

(I received a contact number for Marque's family but I didn't want to interrupt the family tonight as they grieve so I did not call and get the names of the family members who spoke.)

17yr-old shot dead

2010-03-17T18:54:52Z

This morning my 17yr-old son walked in my bedroom. With a low voice he said, 'Mom, I need you to look up something." I knew something was wrong by the sad tone in his voice.

My son stood by me and I heard his words, "They are saying Marque is dead!" He walked in circles and with one breath he said, "Mom, I don't even know what I am doing right now. I'm lost. How is this possible? Wow, Mom look for me and tell me they are wrong"

I wanted to tell him it's not Marque. But even if not, someone else will bury their 17yr-old son. I sat today hearing the same words I would hear over and over from my older son, when he was 17, and neighborhood youth he went to school with and played with were killed.

My son awoke this morning to be in a psychological frozen state for the remainder of the day. How long will this go on? How long will our children loose the sparkle in their eyes with the reminisce of death?

I found in the SacBee a 17yr old was shot and killed near our old home, off Mack Road and Summerdale. I told my son, "there is no name in the story" He stood over me as I read it to him. He said, " It's Marque. Mom, I can't believe he's gone." Tears begin to fill his eyes. I tried so hard to comfort him.

In comforting him, tears begin to fill my eyes. How do I comfort him when he knows death is final? Am I going from taking my older son to funerals of his murdered friends to now taking my younger son to funerals? Am I walking on a treadmill?

The day before yesterday a man is shot around the corner, gunshots, lights, helicopters, sirens - man in body bag.

Yesterday, helicopters continuously flying overhead. We held our breath and hoped it would not be a crime scene like the day before.

This morning, 17yr old Marque, shot and killed in our old neighborhood. Our cries echo from one Sacramento area to another.

I tried to keep my son home from school. But he said, "I need to go. I need to leave. I have to keep my mind on something else. Mom, I don't want him to be dead"

Shots fired on O'neil and 21street

2010-03-16T05:09:48Z

I was sitting in my garage with the garage door open. My friend was at my home using my dryer. It was such a nice evening. I felt so relaxed.

My son asked, 'Mom can I go around the corner to Tony's house." It was approximately 7:30pm. I know Tony and his family and knew he would be okay going to Tony's house. Unfortunately I didn't know what would occur next.

As I talked to my friend I watched my son walk to the corner. I smiled as she said, "He sure is getting big and handsome." I looked at him walking with the cute skip he had as a child and said, "Yes, and he's still my baby." My son turned the corner.

As soon as he turned the corner I heard a "POW" It sounded familiar. It sounded like a gunshot. I took off running to the corner, screaming, 'DJ, DJ" And I heard, 'POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP.' I begin to cry, 'DJ, DJ, God, please don't let my son be hurt.". My friend was yelling "call his phone, call his phone."

I nervously called the number, "Please answer, please answer, Please DJ, answer." I screamed running down 21st street, 'DJ" All I could see was patrol cars, lights and officers." My son answered the phone, Mom, Mom, I hear the gunshots. I'm trying to come home. I'm okay, I'm by the bushes. I'm afraid to move." I told him, " stay put, I will come get you to bring you home. Don't move til I get to you" I went to my son and grabbed him so tight and headed back home.

A neighbor outside said, "the police sent the K9 in that house ( a block from Tony's) and I think the young man in the house shot the K9, that was the one shot and then they open fire. I know he's dead."

An officer ran to a patrol car carrying the canine yelling, "Open the door, Open the door." The canine was rushed off by the patrol car appearing to need emergency medical care. Another person standing on the street said, "I guess they don't need to call an ambulance right away for the guy because I know that person is dead."

More officers arrived at the scene. Yellow tape was placed near the bushes where my son was and tape roped off the entire area. I held my son so tight. And I prayed, 'God bless the city of Sacrament and God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

AMEN

The Picture of Change

2010-03-09T19:13:13Z

It seems to often we are solving a puzzle without a picture.

When I was a kid, my grandmother Retha used to always give me Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and all sorts of other books and puzzles for Christmas. I appreciated the gifts, but I never knew the value of them. I'd rather have the newest toy or the latest fashion.

But I was a kid. Now I'm an adult continuously reading books and trying to solve a puzzle – oftentimes without a picture.

In addressing issues with our mayor, with youth violence or any of our concerns, I think people from all different walks of life are the puzzle pieces. Some of us are rough around the edges, and some of us are smooth. Opinions, insight and beliefs are all puzzle pieces and are supposed to be shaped differently. We are each unique, each different, each valued and instrumental in putting together the picture of change.

I don't think we always have to agree. I don't think we have to choose sides and remain on one side on every issue. Different puzzles have unique puzzle pieces. And it's important that we leave the border to find the different pieces.

When putting together a puzzle, the first step is the easiest. We seem to always do the border of the puzzle first. People who agree or are like-minded are easy to align together to form a straight line and create the border. But the border doesn't complete the puzzle. It's just an easy step to what is soon to be a complex process.

Our next step in forming the picture for our puzzle is to separate the pieces into groups according to their texture or color. We look for all the pieces that feel the same – the same color of thought – and we attach those pieces together. It's basically easy to join the groups together because they feel the same and often share the same background.

Once we've put all of our pieces of the same group together, we begin to see an image form. We begin to notice the value of pieces that are different in color or texture, and we form an image in our minds of what the puzzle picture should look like. We scatter through all the images and different pieces to see where to place the next puzzle image.

But our puzzle hasn't formed its picture until we complete the final connection of the images using the different colors and backgrounds.

Often it seems in Sacramento that many are trying to solve a puzzle without a picture. The picture of change is people of all different colors, textures and backgrounds who organize to come together.

We're not supposed to be or think the same. Some of us are quiet, some are loud, some are rude and some are kind.. We are all different and all of value. I don't think we are supposed to always agree. I don't think we're suppose to fit in the puzzle the exact same way – some can be knowledgeable, and some are willing to learn, but each is necessary to put together the picture of change. We come from different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds, and we each want a picture of change. When putting together a puzzle, each background eventually links together if we go beyond looking for similarities.

Generally, when people see deceit, they speak up and attempt to bring the truth and solve a puzzle. But oftentimes the puzzle pieces aren't fitting together. They aren't organized, and they aren't seeing that difference of opinion doesn't mean you don't belong as a piece of the puzzle. It often appears that the puzzle pieces are all scattered and unorganized, but a few that are like-minded will piece themselves together, but without reaching for the pieces with different textures or colors of thought.

But if we want change, we have to remember an organized lie can have more power than disorganized truth. It seems if we really want change we have to organize with truth and accept the differences of opinion and beliefs and value one another as being a unique piece of the picture.

In order for us to put together a picture of change, we have to go beyond putting only together the pieces of the puzzle with the same color and texture. We are all unique and may not link to one person in particular, but if we look beyond our similarities – beyond the border – we can link together through differences of opinion and form a picture of change.

It's so frustrating trying to put together a puzzle with a thousand scattered pieces and many attempts to solve the puzzle without a picture – without accepting or welcoming the differences we each can bring. We don't have to solve a puzzle without a picture. When looking for the picture to solve our puzzle, we have to see our differences outweigh our similarities. There will be more different, unique, puzzle pieces than the straight, like-minded pieces that align to form the border. Those differences make the picture.

Thank you Grandmother Retha for giving me the beauty of books as a child so I would not sleep through change. Thank you for giving me the many puzzles that taught me to go beyond the border, beyond similarities, and see the value of our differences. Thank you for showing me the wonder and value each piece can bring. Thank you for the gift to learn and see the Picture of Change.

Thank you City Manager Ray Kerridge

2010-02-02T04:36:53Z

Editor's note: This article is a response to a recent Sacramento Press story about City Manager Ray Kerridge being an "Invisible Man."

It has been said our city manager is not held accountable to the residents of Sacramento. But I disagree. Not only is Sacramento's city manager accountable to the City Council and the mayor of Sacramento, he is also accountable to the public and oftentimes reaches out to them with genuine concern.

Prior to meeting Sacramento City Manager Ray Kerridge, I used to think power was in the hands of others. I used to think my opponents were others, and they were often my enemies. President Franklin Roosevelt once said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." I used to believe that statement. But I no longer feel that to be true. I learned from meeting with Kerridge that there is something to fear - and it is oneself.

Last month I met with Kerridge again. He asked me how I was doing and showed genuine concern. Kerridge said something that stood out. He told me, "Be careful of ego; ego can become your worst enemy." We sat ate our muffins and drank hot chocolate and tea and I listened carefully, but I didn't know the impact of what Kerridge was saying. I thought he simply meant not to be self-centered, self-absorbed, or too proud. But it wasn't until today that I learned the impact our city manager would have on my life.

I believe that everyone comes into our lives for a reason. I believe some are meant to stay in our lives and some are meant to enter it and bring us lessons. We have a city manager who came into my life a couple years ago and has recently taught me the greatest lesson I have learned on my life's journey.

I try and always look at others. But perhaps I look at so many more to avoid looking at my worst enemy - myself. Perhaps in trying to not be selfish I actually was selfishly looking for others, creating characters to blame.

As I sat with Kerridge, he asked me if I had ever watched the movie Revolver. When I told him I hadn't he asked me to watch it and to let him know what I learned. Among the lessons I learned was that we have an insightful city manager who opens his heart to see city residents and to bring them lessons. I am moving towards victim to an opponent, from weak to powerful, and it is an amazing feeling.

I hadn't realized I've been at war - with myself. I thought I was an opponent, but in this game of life I've played the role of victim. I locked myself inside my inner prison. I placed walls around myself to hide in. I gave myself boundaries and feared to cross them, afraid of the new pain it would bring. I was so busy fighting so many others that I overlooked the one person I needed to fight. I kept my friends close but I kept my enemy closer. I didn't realize my enemy is not others: it's myself. I often hear people say, "Fight the powers that be." I learned after meeting with Mr. Kerridge that power is our own ego. I never thought I would have to fight myself - that the "powers that be" would be myself.

Why am I still in the same place that I was five years ago even though I've grown and learned from so many lessons? Because I set boundaries and failed to conquer self before attempting to conquer others I saw as my opponents. I remained the victim. I didn't see myself worthy of more. I fight the fight. I talk the talk, but I set limits on myself, and I've been at war with myself, and I didn't even know it. Our ego is clever.

I've been a victim of my own doing for a very long time. It's time I become the opponent - and the only way to get smarter is by playing a smarter opponent. I learned I was looking for the devil's hand in so much that is occurring but ego - in efforts to find someone else to blame - created the devil. I cannot thank Mr. Kerridge enough for having me watch Revolver. The movie is brilliant. I learned the greatest enemy will hide in the last place you will ever look. I've been so busy looking at everyone else that I failed to see my greatest enemy - I failed to look at myself. And if I can conquer my ego I can conquer anything.

As I sat today and watched Revolver I was in awe watching Jason Statham go from victim to opponent - fight with himself, creating characters to blame. It was insightful. Watching him leave his own prison and overcome his own demons, his ego, was powerful, and watching Ray Liotta go from opponent to victim was equally insightful. I learned I can be an opponent or a victim, and if I'm not careful I can be an opponent who turns into a victim. I learned life is tricky if we allow our egos to dictate our lives.

Today I learned I failed to see my greatest enemy. I failed to see myself, and I need to stop finding characters to blame to move from victim to opponent. I worked for years to address youth violence. Often times it felt like a game, a con, so many opponents using the efforts of victims to enhance their departments or advance their careeers. Their is a powerful quote in the movie Revolver where Jake Green says, "there is an opponent and a victim; and the trick is to know when you are the latter so you can become the former."

The city manager has many jobs to perform, and I for one am grateful that he took the time to meet with me, a community member, to listen to a victim and helped her to become an opponent.

Sacramento City Manager Ray Kerridge managed his way into my life and I am extremely grateful to have a city manager who goes beyond the Council, the mayor and people with titles to see everyday people struggling and fighting their own worst enemy - fighting themselves. I am grateful to Sacramento City Manager Ray Kerridge for giving me a key to walk out of my own inner prison.

Rhonda Erwin

Profiling of Sacramento area youth

2010-01-15T06:51:30Z

Profiling of Sacramento area youth

How effectively are we really addressing profiling of area youth if we simply address racial profiling in terms of black and white?

17-year-old Terrey Randolph, who is a black teen, cleaned dog kennels, backyards, garages and mowed lawns to earn extra money. Terrey went to clean the backyard of a south area home.

The owner was absent and Terrey was instructed by the owner's wife and adult daughter to go to the home and care for the dog and clean the landscaping. Terrey had worked at the house several times and never had any problems.

Terrey was caring for the dog and the landscaping around the property when a neighbor, who is white, looked over the fence and began asking Terrey what he was doing in the backyard. Terrey felt uncomfortable but he answered the neighbor's questions and then called his dad and told him of the neighbor watching him through the fence. The neighbor left.

A short time later another neighbor, who is black, came to the fence and began questioning Terrey about what he was doing in the backyard. Terrey again felt uncomfortable but he answered the neighbor's questions and continued cleaning the yard he was paid to clean.

Even after Terrey answered the neighbors questions and although it was apparent he was cleaning, one neighbor called police.

Terrey said, “I was working in the backyard when I was approached by several police officers with their hands on their guns and they wanted to know what I as doing at the property."

Terrey told the officers that he was assisting the owner of the home, who could be reached by phone to verify that Terrey was authorized to be there. Terrey said the officer told him, “We don‘t have time to do that.” The officers took Terrey into the garage of the home, placing him on a chair where he was questioned for 15 minutes or more.

Terrey said he told the police officer he was a minor and that his parents could also be reached by phone. Terrey was afraid and said he became fearful for his safety and intimated by the officer’s actions when one officer looked at Terrey and bent down and said, “The next time you should run and give us something to do.”

I spoke with Terrey and I asked him how he felt while detained. “I knew I didn’t do anything wrong, but when more and more officers arrived I even began questioning myself," he said. "I said to myself, what did I do? I must have did something — there is so many police."

Terrey was an alleged suspect for a crime which had not occurred. His father grew up in the South and is in his mid-60s, and embedded in his memory racial discrimination and racial tension. Terrey’s father was outraged at the actions of the Sacramento Police Department officer. Terrey’s mother, who is in her early 40s, grew up in the Bay Area at a time with less racial tension.

Terrey’s mother, Ruth, was at work when officers detained Terrey. Ruth was angry at the neighbor who called the police and angry at the “wrongful detention and intimidation tactic perpetuated by five of your police officers.” Ruth believes if the officers had called the owner as requested by Terrey, before treating him like a suspect of a crime, her son could have left the home with his self-esteem still in tact.

I believe neighbors have a right and an obligation to look after one another's homes. I believe it can be done without destroying or attempting to destroy the spirit of a youth. I believe officers have an obligation to respond to service calls. I also believe that Terrey’s parents should have been contacted. I do not believe this incident generalizes all within the police force, all blacks or all whites. I believe it is the shade of gray often overshadowed by discussions generally focused on black and white. It is unfortunate and concerning that so many area youth have to constantly be debriefed by acts of so many others. It is unfortunate that area youth are often times looked upon as suspects versus youth.

Ruth states on her citizen complaint to the Commander of the Sacramento Police Department:

It is my contention that the officer should have stopped their interrogation once Terrey advised the officer that he was a minor, later that afternoon my son contacted me in tears, because he believed the officer statement was a threat of bodily harm upon his person. Additionally my son should not have been taken into the garage out of maximum view of the public for questioning when he had not done anything wrong."

Furthermore, the primary question is, by what authority did the officers entered the private property, and for what reason was my son detained, taken into the garage and interrogated. The owner gave my son permission to enter this property, he did not report that my son was conducting unusual or unlawful act to the police. So why was my son detained? And such “suggestion” statement made?

Please be advised that I demand a full and thorough investigation into the officer’s actions and their threatening statements to my son “that the next time he should run, so they would have something to do.” My son demands an apology and additionally, demands that these officers receive several hours of sensitivity training relating to race relations and the protection and preservation of a minor child.”

I looked at three generations and wondered how they each saw the incident. A father in his 60s only saw race. A mother in her 40s saw beyond race. A 17-year-old boy did not see race. He saw an attack on youth.

Does Sacramento need to address the fact Sacramento area youth are often targeted or profiled as criminals? Yes. Should Sacramento go beyond simply addressing racial profiling within a department? Absolutely.

How effectively are we really addressing profiling of area youth if we simply look at race?

The neighbor who called Terrey a liar and then called the police on Terrey for being at the home was the black neighbor.

—Rhonda Erwin

Disclaimer: I interviewed Terrey’s father by phone and his anger appeared to be a result of both past experience and present racial tension. He does not reside in Sacramento. I interviewed Terrey’s mother and she was angered at the ignorance of the officer and the neighbor who called the police. I interviewed Terrey who previously had no experience unpleasant or otherwise with Sacramento police officers and the entire event awaken him to look at himself and others differently. I spoke with the adult daughter of the home, several times, where Terrey worked cleaning the landscaping and she was disturbed by the actions of the neighbor and officers. I went to the house where Terrey worked cleaning the kennel in the backyard. I stood outside the house for over 30 minutes. I sat in front of the house in my car for another 30 minutes. I walked toward the backyard and no one ever called the police. I went to the house where Terrey told me the neighbor lives. The neighbor who called the police was not home. His wife called him and told him I was there regarding the incident with Terrey. He came home and once I began speaking with/ questioning him he decided he did not want to speak with me regarding the incident

Special Assistant to the Mayor R.E. Graswich interviews Mayor Johnson

2009-12-29T08:53:59Z

December 8, 2009 Interview with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson

Tonight, I watched the below Youtube clip and felt as though I was watching a Paid Public Service Announcement. Actually, I felt I was watching a Paid Strong Mayor Campaign Advertisement. Who pays Graswich salary? Hopefully it comes out of the mayor's pocket since it seems Graswich isn't working to get the exclusive for the people of the city of Sacramento.

I had high hopes for Graswich after reading the August 20, 2009 Sacramento Press article where he stated, "I'm getting paid by the people. I'm working for the people." http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/12383/RE_Graswich_on_why_he_left_journalism_for_City_Hall

Below is one of several questions Special Assistant to the Mayor R.E. Graswich asks Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. I wonder, can a 'Special Assistant" to the Mayor actually interview the mayor without bias, slanting or leaning questions to assist the mayor? How can a seasoned reporter who is now a special assistant to the mayor not provide rebuttal questions to some of the not-so-bright responses provided by the Mayor?

R.E. Graswich asks: "How can an executive Mayor create jobs when a weak mayor can't?"

Mayor Johnson responds: "So for me when you think about the Railyard project that is an significant project in our community, to create jobs. We have been the recipient of a lot of economic stimulus dollars. Quite frankly, I don't know if we've been spending those dollars to the degree that I would like in terms of job creations. So I would like to be very transparent. In a Strong Mayor Structure we track every dollar that came in. We look at it and if it was suppose to create X amount of new jobs then we would make sure that we are doing that."

Here are a few questions community members would like to know: How much funding in economic stimulus dollars has the city of Sacramento received? Why doesn't the mayor of Sacramento know if the city has spent the dollars to the degree it could have in terms of job creations? What jobs did the city create? Was the city able to save the jobs of Park & Recreation employees with the economic stimulus? If the Mayor would like to be very transparent, why didn't the mayor or his special assistant provide us with more information? Why can't the mayor track every dollar that came in through a weak mayor structure? Surely if our mayor is unable to track dollars without a strong mayor structure we should question his ability to serve the city of Sacramento. Why does our mayor and his special assistant think a weak mayor can't create jobs? Surely a seasoned reporter or skillful politician would know stranger things happened.

I use to read, with respect, R.E. Graswich column when he wrote for the Sacramento Bee. I know he is capable of reporting the news, getting the scoop and providing us with a far better exclusive. This is a sad sight. I read the August 21, 2009 Sacramento Press article 'Graswich moves from Mayor's critic to mayor's advocate' where it was written Graswich will work with the public. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/12389/Graswich_moves_from_mayors_critic_to_mayors_advocate

Exactly how can the public have trust in Graswich, knowing the seasoned reporter didn't ask our Mayor to explain his not-so-bright responses?

For further questions by Graswich and responses by Mayor Johnson please watch the below Youtube clip.

Rhonda Erwin: A Sacramento resident growing more concerned each passing month with the mayor of Sacramento and his special assistants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo_b8CxjAyw

Ghosts of Cancer Past-- Kudos to Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Facility

2009-12-24T07:38:48Z

Ghost of Cancers Past -- KUDO's to South Sacramento Medical Facility

'Twas the night before surgery and all through the house their wasn't any noise, no sounds could be heard. I was surrounded in silence and overwhelmed in sadness I rose from my bed and got in the shower.

As the water rinsed over my body, I trembled and the tears flowed. I cried out so loud, "Please God don't take me away from my family, please don't take me away from my community. Who will love my children as only a mother can love?"

I fell to the shower floor on my knees praying, water pouring over my head, "Forgive me for all my sins. Forgive me if I have become filled with pride, ego, anger. I know you don't need me to fight the greed and deceit both within and surrounding my community but please don't take me away from fighting the battle. Oh God I am so scared. Cancer is perhaps the only thing I am scared of."

I cried and cried. As I stood in the shower I was visited by the ghosts of cancers past.

I recall as a teen my Aunt Alice suddenly ill and diagnosed with colon cancer. She was the pillar in her family and labored endlessly for her children. She was so beautiful. Then she died of cancer.

Aunt Alice was the first that I knew who died in her family, then her two brothers died of cancer and her sister Aunt Rosie Pearl was diagnosed with colon cancer. They were each and all so very beautiful. Cancer came and took all four lives.

I recall my paternal grandmother returning from a weekend fishing trip and going to the doctor and everything changed. She would quickly go from rising early hours where I'd awaken to the smell of hexol as she cleaned and bacon as she cooked.

She would put on long rubber boots and go to her backyard garden picking fruit to can her jam, cutting fish, picking walnuts from her front yard tree and cooking us, her grandchildren, the best down-home cooking and beautiful pies.

When she returned home from one fishing trip she was diagnosed with colon cancer and given six months to live. She died in four months. I recall standing at her bedside holding her hand the night she died begging please don't leave me. She shed a tear and squeezed my hand I walked out the room and she was gone.

My paternal grandfather Earthly came back to Sacramento from Arkansas when my grandmother was ill with cancer. We would go for walks in Oak Park where he would visit old friends. He was so funny, he was a ladies man.

I learned from him. Old ladies and old men need love, too. My grandmother would laugh and say, "Rhonda, go and see if your grandpa is down to Miss Minnies' or one of the other ladies and tell him to come back to the house."

By the time I got to know my grandpa, cancer came and took him. Cancer came and took him shortly after my grandmother, both dying in their early 60s. Then cancer would come to visit my family earlier than 60 with late 40s being the target.

My Aunt Clarissa was the closest person to a saint that I have ever known. I don't think she ever harmed anyone in her life. I don't think she ever raised her voice angrily at anyone.

She didn't curse, gossip or hate anyone or anything. Her smile was radiant and infectious. She was always there for her family. When I was pregnant with my first born she asked to be her godmother. I felt so blessed for my daughter to have such a beautiful spirit of love as a godmother.

Aunt Clarissa was a mother's love. She was diagnosed with colon cancer and I watched her fight to live for her children and live to love unconditionally and die surrounded by those who loved her.

My aunt asked if her youngest daughter Jamie, who lived in Arizona, had arrived. Jamie came into the room. Aunt Clarissa, waited for her last child to arrive before she would depart. She loved us all to the end, not leaving us until we were all together.

She looked up and said, "Goodbye." My aunt never reached the age of 50. Shortly after, as we all were standing nearby, a tear escaped from my aunt's eye and we watched her quietly take her last breath.

My Aunt Clarissa made her baby sister, my mother, promise to get screened for cancer. At 49, my mother Charlotte was screened. Polyps were found and it was determined they were malignant. Her spleen was removed. She fought so hard to live.

My mother also lived for her children. Her love went to her family and extended to any neighborhood youth in need. My mother was beautiful and a fighter. She loved us with all she had.

My biological father, Harvey went to the dentist for what he thought was a tooth abscess. It turned out to be cancer. He was in stage five by the time he found out he had cancer. He was given six months to live.

I recall standing at his bed side and his spirits were up. We laughed, joked and he asked about my mother. They had divorced when I was four. I was raised by my step dad, but my biological father was always in my life and always also in my heart.

I was pregnant with my youngest son and my father's cancer stressed me so much I was rushed to the hospital. I recall the doctor saying I was at risk of a miscarriage and they were concerned for the pregnancy. I was hooked up to machines and kept overnight.

I wanted to leave to go see my dad. The next morning my sister and my mother walked in the hospital room both with tears in their eyes. I thought I lost my baby. I was told I lost my dad. He died while I was in the hospital.

Strange thing is when I was in the hospital I felt a second breath. It was like a cough and then I caught my breath. I remember thinking my baby is okay. My baby is breathing again. I sat in my dad's memorial service and I wondered if he was in the hospital with me and while he sometimes missed giving me birthday gifts, perhaps his last gift to me was in dying that day to give my son -- his grandson -- the gift of life.

Someone once told me when one person dies another is to be born. My dad died at 47. He never made it to 50. I never had another miscarriage threat with my son and he was born beautiful and healthy. In fact he has my dad's eyes.

At 51, my mother awoke and we rushed her to the hospital. I recall standing in her room holding her hand and singing her favorite song, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray..."

I held her and cried out, "God, please don't take my sunshine away." I felt my mother also squeeze my hand. I left the room and went back in the waiting area where family had gathered. We saw so many die of cancer we had to keep her on life support, we had to fight to keep her alive.

But her body was swelling, she looked like she was drowning in her own body fluid. We had to let her go. My mother made us promise to get screened for cancer.

A few years ago I was screened and a polyp was removed from my colon. I saw a picture of it and it was the size of a large plum. I was told it was precancerous. To this day I believe my mother saved my life by making me promise to have the colonoscopy done.

When she was sick she took me to my first colonoscopy screening. The last two weeks, due to female issues I went to my Kaiser physician. In one week, I received four appointments including an ultra sound. My head was spinning as the tests showed a possible polyp in my uterus.

What was thought to be early menopause I learned could be cervical cancer. My mind started playing tricks on me. Could the polyp in my colon have broken off and spread to my uterus? Will I live to see 50? My aunt's and father didn't make it to 50 and my mother spent her 50th year fighting cancer and died at 51 years young.

I stood in the shower, until the ghost of cancers past left me.

I awoke at 5 a.m. in prayer and went to Kaiser for the 6 a.m. surgery. My dad, the one who raised me, and my sister was there at the hospital before I arrived. As I walked into the admitting office I thought how my dad, my sister and I were there with my mother admitting her for her last Kaiser stay.

I wondered if would this be the beginning of the end of a fight with cancer. The Kaiser admitting nurse and volunteers were wonderful.

When I went to Kaiser the day before for my lab work, I pulled in the parking lot and I saw my doctor walking into the medical building. He was walking and smiling. He's always smiling, always so welcoming.

When I went to the appointment, I asked him, "Dr. Puccinelli, why are you always smiling?" Jokingly I said, "You are always smiling, I need to know, are you on the sauce?"

We both laughed. His answer let me know sauce won't cause his hands to shake during my surgery. His hands were guided by the love of God. He told me his father was a physician and did house calls and was always smiling. He said it was his religious background, his faith. I knew when I went in to surgery God had put me in good hands and once again my prayers would be answered.

When I was called back in the post-op room, the nurse assigned to me was like an angel. She was so kind. She reminded me of my Aunt Clarissa. She was so beautiful her inner beauty shined and blended with her outer beauty.

The anesthesiologist was so kind. In fact everyone that attended to me was beautiful with a smile that seemed so genuine. I didn't know anyone but everyone seemed like a loving family. I kept saying I have to thank them and I was going to as soon as the nurse completed her task of giving me medication, but I was asleep before I could thank them and I didn't awake until the surgery was completed.

When I awoke I was sick, drowsy and tired and couldn't thank them. The beautiful people were also gone, moving on to the next surgery and the next person in need.

I came out the room to see my sister and was slightly startled. My sister, who is 11 months younger than me, looks just like my mother. She loves just like my mother. My dad told me, "Your doctor came out and said, 'She calls me Dr. Smiley. I am so happy to say we didn't find a polyp. We did take a biopsy and will have the results within the week. But everything looks good. I am so happy.'"

My dad held on to his bible and the electronic patient tracking system card given to him in the surgical waiting room. It's real neat they have a color-coded system which helps family members know every stage from inside the facility - in pre-op, transported to operating room, out period, return to pre-operation area, in operation, surgery is complete, patient waiting for hospital bed or ride home, discharged.

It was a good feeling to know that while I was inside the operating room being treated with great care my family members were treated with great care by Kaiser and kept informed during the entire process.

I am so happy to have a doctor who is "happy" when no polyp is found. I am happy with whomever does the hiring for the operation room personnel at South Sacramento Kaiser. I am not exaggerating when I say everyone that greeted and assisted me from the time I entered, filled with fear at 6 a.m., made my stay pleasant and filled with love.

It seems God sends loving people to me everywhere I go and every time I am filled with pain. God knows what we'll need before we do.

Kudos to South Sacramento hospital. I am blessed to have 2009 end with having and knowing the love extended by my physician Dr. Puccinelli, Kaiser admission office, Kaiser angelic nurse and everyone in the Kaiser Operating Room.

Rhonda Erwin: I am taking time off from posting to focus on my health and to work on what I pray is the last stage of my sons appeal. And I'm learning my prayers do get answered when I believe and love with all my heart. Merry Christmas to all and I wish you all blessings and a Happy New Year.

Does Fresno have a Strong Mayor form of government?

2009-12-11T07:37:50Z

I recall a while back reading information from Mayor Johnson's assistant regarding Fresno where, if my memory serves me right, he suggested the city of Fresno is thriving under a Strong Mayor form of government. Below is an email I received. I do see possible problems with perhaps property value going down and the homes not being sold... But my point is Fresno is not without poverty and the Strong Mayor has not effectively or significantly addressed problems concerning the poor (homelessness, youth violence, unemployment...) Fresno has many outspoken advocates for the poor but can't seem to get beyond their strong mayor. In fact Fresno has sworn in their third strong mayor under the strong mayor form of government and it hasn't seem to benefit the poor.

Rhonda Erwin

Press Release
For Immediate Release
December 9, 2009
For more information contact: Mike Rhodes (559) 978-4502
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY December 10 2009

A Press Conference will be held on Thursday, December 10 at 2 p.m. at the Pam Kincaid Neighborhood Center, located at 1026 Mariposa street in Fresno. Speakers will call on the City and County of Fresno to end homelessness. The speakers will connect the need for affordable and decent housing in Fresno with the United Nations Human Rights Day activities happening throughout the world.
Here is what Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) says:

"Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control."

Ed Castro, an organizer with Journey for Justice, will make a brief statement about Human Rights Day and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This will be followed by Rev. Floyd D. Harris, who will speak for the local group of homeless advocates who have organized this press conference. Harris will outline the City of Fresno's failure to adequately address homelessness and the City’s shockingly callous eviction of homeless residents at Ventura and F streets, 9 days before Christmas. Since Gregory Barfield was hired as the city’s homeless czar, the situation for the homeless has worsened. The city used to provide portable toilets and trash pick up for the homeless but these services have ended. Now they are evicting the homeless, forcing them to move from one god forsaken vacant lot to another - giving them no legal place to camp. Harris will call on the city to set up campgrounds where people are safe and have toilets, trash pick up and running water, along with their full array of Constitutional rights.

Harris will also make a concrete proposal about how this city can end homelessness immediately. There are hundreds of bank owned, foreclosed, vacant houses in Fresno. A map of those homes will be available at the press conference. Harris will propose that the banks, which the taxpayers have bailed out, should invite homeless families to be caretakers of those homes until they are sold. If the owners of all of the vacant homes that are for sale in Fresno were to do the same, homelessness would be ended. The caretakers would move to another for sale home within 20 days of when the house they are living in is sold. Harris will also be calling on the police chief and sheriff to stop participating in evictions of foreclosed homes.

Al Williams, a homeless veteran will speak about the reality of life on the streets, and say that there are people dying because of exposure to the cold and rain. Williams will provide the press with photos showing how some homeless people are moving into abandoned houses to survive. Williams will tell the press what it is like to walk by bank owned, foreclosed, vacant houses that could save his friends lives - when the only alternative is to live in a field that the city could declare illegal at any time.
Homeless advocates will also link the money wasted on the endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the lack of resources available locally to end homelessness.

Many of the homeless advocates who organized this Human Rights Day event will be present on December 16 and encourage the City of Fresno to help, not evict and hurt the homeless. If no progress has been made by the City and County of Fresno to help the homeless in two weeks (Christmas Eve) additional actions will be taken by grassroots homeless activists

A Look Back: Mayor Johnson- Transparency and Accountability -- or Propaganda?

2009-12-08T00:19:24Z

A Look Back: Year One: Mayor Johnson's First 12 Months of Propaganda
The first of several parts in response to Mayor Johnson's recent evaluation of his first year in office.

Part One — Effective Government and Accountability — or Propaganda?

Propaganda as described by Wikipedia: Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

Mayor Kevin Johnson has continued to be a disappointment throughout his first year as mayor of Sacramento. While running for office, he promised transparency. Unfortunately the mayor is transparent in the sense we can see right through his propaganda. Sadly the mayor is not appearing accountable to provide the people of Sacramento a mayor of truth and integrity.

As I read the mayor's blog submission "Year One and A Look Back: Mayor Johnson's First 12 Months," I grew greatly disappointed seeing our mayor blatantly omit truth to communicate with us in a manner that insults and underestimates our intelligence. Below are segments from Johnson's blog posting and the obvious propaganda techniques he uses to sway and influence public interest and opinion. It is my hope that Johnson will learn his fastest move is our slowest, and he should pump his brakes, slow his roll and put as much focus and concern into becoming a world-class, first-tier classy mayor prior to attempting to make Sacramento a world-class city. If a city is a reflection of its mayor, Sacramento is in a world of trouble.

Johnson writes: "Effective Government and Accountability: This past year, my office set a standard of 'best practices' in transparency and accountability." http://www.kevinjohnsonformayor.com/kjfm/

Yet Mayor Johnson is not transparent nor accountable for his decision to further divide the City Council.

How effective is government when the mayor comes in with his own entourage of special assistants, volunteers, advisers, lawyers and spokespersons and allows their role to dominate and influence his actions, decisions and relationship with the City Council, city clerk and members of the community that he is obligated to represent? If this is a standard of best practices, Sacramento is on a slippery slope to an extremely dysfunctional city government.

Mayor Johnson's first year in office left Sacramentans with "a duel structure of the mayor's private attorney and the council-appointed city attorney- with dueling opinions on issues, name calling or attributing real differences of opinion to incompetence" towards our city attorney. Sac Bee Editorial: Mayor, lawyer should talk it out http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/story/2171542.html

Johnson fails to mention his lack of transparency this year in his decision to remove City Councilmember Sandy Sheedy from the Law and Legislation committee. How transparent was the mayor when he did not inform the council of his decision to "shake things up" prior to the council session? What was his reasoning for deliberately not collaborating with our city councilmembers of his decision? Why does it always appear his special assistants are in the loop and our city councilmembers, whom we vote into office, are uninformed? We don't know the answer since our mayor continuously failed, this year, to be transparent.

How transparent was our mayor when he loaned $25,000 to Sacramentans for Accountable Government and forgave the loan, converting it to a gift? Why didn't anyone on the council or the city clerk know the loan was converted into a gift until a week after City Attorney Eileen Teichert raised the issue of a conflict of interest? Again Johnson did not collaborate with our city attorney or our city councilmembers during council discussion on this issue and allowed his spokesperson to continuously insult our city attorney (www.newsreview.com/sacramento/snog/blogs/post?oid+1211332 SN&R Timing is everything in Johnson vs Teichert fight)

Our mayor writes, "I hosted Town Hall meetings and Office Hours in all eight council districts, giving hundreds of residents access to me, my staff and managers from every city department."

As city residents, we have had access to managers from every city department prior to Johnson being in office. All we have to do is attend neighborhood association meetings, neighborhood response team meetings and reception banquets, where city staff and managers set up booths and provide information to city residents throughout the year.

I have attended the mayor's town hall meetings and grew disappointed when it appeared the mayor's "open house" had a closed-door back-room agenda. I wrote an article on the Sacramento Bee Street Talk blog regarding the mayor's office hours and my disappointment in seeing the open house was not for the mayor to get to know the community but an attempt for the mayor to get the community to see him and thus sign the petition for the Strong Mayor Initiative. (See Mayor's Open House appears to have a Closed Door Backroom Agenda)

Johnson claims to answer questions from media "for an unscripted, open and direct discussion" at the Tuesday City Council meetings. However, Johnson allows his volunteer Steve Maviglio and his attorney Thomas Hiltackh to directly discuss and attack our city councilmembers, our city attorney and our charter review commission, and refuses to be accountable for the actions and reactions of his volunteers, advisers and assistants.

The mayor also writes of making appearances on two TV news shows and four radio stations. The mayor continuously attempts to rally support for the strong-mayor proposal versus really getting to know the community. Every move Mayor Johnson has made this year appears scripted with decisions made behind closed doors, without direct community discussion, and without discussions with the council we elected into office to respresent our districts.

The mayor writes, "There were tangible results from these efforts at accountability and efficient government," but fails to tell us what tangible results the efforts had. Johnson fails to inform us where was the accountability and how the efforts made the government efficient. The first year of Johnson's tenure in office has been propaganda. He has consistently provided us with selective information to make himself look good and to take credit in areas where he played no role.

In his first year, Mayor Johnson, will talk the talk but he won't walk the walk. Mayor Johnson will publicly call out city employees, throw them under a bus in an attempt to make himself look good by making them look bad. (http://www.kevinjohnsonformayor.com/kjfm/?p=154 ) Our mayor fails to demonstrate that he and his special assistants will be accountable for their actions, inactions or reactions. Accountability, this year, for Mayor Johnson appears to be a smokescreen. (The Swarm: Mayor uses smokescreen of"accountability" to keep wrong doings under wraps http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/the_swarm/2009/10/026491.html )

Johnson writes, "The city's 311 phone service enjoyed a nearly five-fold increase in call volume. My office helped publicize 311 at every opportunity." During a meeting which included an employee from the city office of youth development, several non profit organizations and community members it was clear a local television station is responsible for billboards to advertise the 311 phone service. Johnson did not have anything to do with the city's 311 service. Former Mayor Heather Fargo was the driving force behind the 311 service, and the councilmembers and the office of youth development played a vital role in the increase in call volume. What does mayor Johnson mean by "my" office? His office is not transparent. We don't know the roles of his volunteers, but we do know it wasn't to promote the 311 service. Johnson appears to continuously take credit for the work, efforts and labor of others. If I would have waited on Johnson to inform me of the 311 service, I could have never helped the young girl who needed shelter . http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/17155/Kudos_to_the_City_of_Sacramento_311

"Propaganda is neutrally defined as a systematic form of purposeful persuasion that attempts to influence the emotions, attitudes, opinions, and actions of specified target audiences for ideological, political or commercial purposes through the controlled transmission of one-sided messages (which may or may not be factual) via mass and direct media channels." —Richard Alan Nelson, A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States, 1996

Johnson fails to be transparent and uses propaganda to selectively present facts thus lying by ommission to encourage a particular synthesis using loaded messages to produce an emotion rather than rational response to the information he presents when he writes. "And to create more accountability at City Hall, I directed a campaign to gather signatures and place an Executive Mayor Initiative on the June 2010 ballot. The initiative received approximatgely 50,000 signatures from Sacramento residents. Now, voters will get the opportnity to update their city charter's structure and accountability. Currently, the charter reflects conditions of 1920."

How transparent is the mayor when he knows not all of the 50,000 signatures from Sacramento residents were actually knowlegable of the contents of the strong-mayor proposal? Did the mayor deliberately refer to the strong-mayor proposal as an "executive mayor initiative" since there is much concern from community members toward the strong-mayor proposal? Why didn't the mayor direct us to a town hall meeting to have an input on drafting the strong-mayor proposal? How accountable or transparent is the mayor for sending what appears to be pirates (ARNO Political Consulting) into our community to gather folks who need an income to highjack us of our signatures? Why did the mayor use signature collectors who were paid by the signature? This year, our mayor showed us his hook-or-crook techniques to get what he wants.

The mayor ends his first segment with further propaganda by writing "Looking forward/ Lessons Learned: In the coming year, I will continue to hold myself accountable while maintaining the openness and transparency that must be the hallmark of our city. I look forward to giving voters a choice in June between a governance structure of 'business as usual' or real, positive change and accountabiity. And while I am grateful the city council finally agreed with my calls for an external operational review and audit, I regret we missed the opportunity to create the review process sooner and for less money. Finally, I am still concerned about significant structural imbalances in our city budget, with insufficient cash reserves."

A year and mounting errors made by our unskillful politician later, our mayor has yet to hold himself accountable. Johnson has yet to show us openness, honesty, integrity or transparency. Johnson again used the blog to further sway public interest toward his strong-mayor proposal and used the "business as usual" or "real, positive change and accountability" propaganda to underestimate and insult the intelligence of city residents.

It is also clear Johnson hasn't learned his lesson to not attempt to sway public opinion by attempting to make himself look good by making the council look bad. When Johnson ran for office he used the same propaganda techniques to make Fargo look bad. While in office he is attempting to show us an ineffective city council without showing us in detail how he can or has been effective. A year later and Johnson has continued to be all bark and no bite. In fact, Mayor Johnson appears to be barking up the wrong tree because many community members, charter review commission, unions, two former mayors are not buying his propaganda towards the Strong Mayor Proposal. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/18495/Unions_back_lawsuit_against_strong_mayor

Mayor Johnson's first year is nothing for him to brag about. The mayor has not proven to be a skillful politican. In fact Sac Bee writer Marcos Breton said it best, "Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is his own worse enemy" http://www.sacbee.com/734/story/2363195.html

There are seven main techniques used in modern propaganda. Johnson has used them all.

1) Assertion: an enthusiastic or energetic statement presented as fact, although it is not necessarily true. The statements require no explanation or back up, but should be merely accepted without questions.

2) Bandwagon: an appeal to follow the crowd, to join in because others are doing so. Bandwagon propaganda is essentially trying to convince the subject that one side is the winning side because more people have joined it. The subject is meant to believe that since so many people have joined, victory is inevitable and defeat impossible. Since the average person always wants to be on the winning side, he or she is compelled to join in. Johnson continuously uses the 50,000 signatures, the 77,000 strong, the people have spoken to influence community members to jump on the bandwagon.

3) Card-stacking: selective omission, only presenting information that is positive to an idea or proposal and omiting information contrary to it. When I first began reading The Sacramento Press I continuously read card-stacking posts by mayoral assistant Steve Maviglio. According to the Institute for Propaganda Analysis, card-stacking is extremely effective in convincing the public and is dangerous because it omits important information.

4) Glittering generalities: words that have different positive meaning for individual subjects but are linked to highly valued concepts. Johnson and his associates continuously give us glittering generalities with using the words "change," "status quo," "businesses as usual," world-class," etc.

5) Lesser of two evils: to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option. The idea or proposal is often depicted as one of the only options or paths.

6) Name-calling: words that carry a negative connotation (business as usual, status quo...). The propaganda attempts to arouse prejudice among the public by labeling the target something that the public dislikes, often using sarcasm and ridicule. Our mayor puts a spotlight on councilmembers' flaws (dismissing his own) and allows his assistants to do the name-calling.

7) Pinpointing the enemy/ Plain folks: an attempt to simplfy a complex situation by presenting one specific group as the enemy (those against the SMP. The plain-folks device is an attempt by a propagandist to convince the public that his views reflect those of the common person and that they are also working for the benefit of the common person.

Lessons learned: Johnson has not shown us transparency his first year in office. Johnson will not hold himself accountable. Johnson has shown us he is a propagandist and that he surrounds himself with volunteer propagandists to further sway public interest and opinion.

A Look Back: Mayor Johnson failed to provide city residents with accountability or transparency but gave us plenty of propaganda.

—Rhonda Erwin
Part 2 of the Mayor's Year One and A Look Back will address Johnson's second segment of his report: Public Safety. Our mayor's first year in office has been a grave disappointment, and I will have to divide this into several ongoing segments.

Continued: Thank you Sacramento Press

2009-11-19T08:10:16Z

Continued from Part 1

Thank you Sacramento Press: Our Cries echo- contnued

Last month I attended a justice march and rally. An elderly man walked with the group from the District Attorney's office to Sacramento superior court and then we walked to the federal courthouse. The man carried one of the signs provided by the organizers of the march which mentioned criminal justice system unfair to minorities. The man was Caucasian. His middle-aged son said, "Dad, you are not a minority why are you carrying the sign?" The elderly man said, "It's the only one they have and we're here due to an unfair court." I saw a man who was not black, walking in pain due to court misconduct, who had to settle on a sign regarding race when his pain was due to court injustice.

I'm taking steps towards healing by walking beyond race. I don't want to walk on a treadmill. I can't live in the past when I am looking for a future. Having attended so many youth violence meetings, summits, workshops, funerals and courts I don't see things as I did in 2005. For me race is a distraction, and too many will focus on race when our focus should be on life and freedom of all of Sacramento's sons and daughters. When you've seen so many in a great deal of pain you don't want distractions. If I were shot and in the hospital I would not want anyone to look at the fact a black woman is shot. I would want you to look at how to prevent shootings. I would want you to look at my wounds and not my color. It is my wound which causes me pain. I would not want the fact death would be overshadowed by meetings on race. As people met to discuss racial concerns homicide concerns would take a back-seat.

I truly, with all my heart appreciate being among the winners of the Sacramento Press journalism award. With all my heart, I appreciate the beautiful words written about the article I wrote, but I must pay homage to those who have lost their lives and those who are in pain due to the death or arrest of their loved one, and I must do so in truth and not focus solely on African American youth. Addressing youth violence goes beyond color, beyond boundaries, beyond territory, beyond gang-like mentality.

When I would visit my son in jail, I would sit next to mothers of different ethnic backgrounds visiting their sons and on the way out we all cried colorless tears. I don't imagine a mother, who is not black, walking into her dead child's room and finding any comfort in the fact youth of their ethnic background have died less than youth of my ethnic background. I don't think they find comfort in their ethnic background when they have lost a child they loved. Pain goes beyond color. In fact, pain is stronger than color.

With all my heart I appreciate the award, but I could not in good conscience, in the spirit of love, not correct the fact the youth I wrote of were not only African Americans. I've seen too many colorless tears and I pray for resources for all. I mentioned of all the times I was outraged, but once I left my comfort zone, my outrage left from focusing on my ethnic background when I began to see so many more in the same pain. I walked throughout the city of Sacramento until I walked out of my skin and saw the pain of so many more.

In 2005 I was outraged when I saw a room filled with people to address police brutality and no rooms filled with people to address youth on youth violence I was outraged when every month in 2005 and sometimes more than once a month black youth died at the hands of another black youth. I was outraged when I attended a funeral of a murdered teen and the pastor said, "If anyone sees someone from my congregation hanging out on the corner call me and I will go get them". I sat in disbelief and wondered, "What kind of man are you who have 100 sheep and one is lost, that you don't leave the 99 and go out into the wilderness to get the one which is lost?" I wondered, why does the youth have to be from your congregation? I kept seeing gang-like mentality.

I never knew where this journey would take me but it took me beyond race. In 2005 I saw racial neglect but I didn't see it solely as black and white. I saw many people of different ethnic backgrounds overlooking or dismissing the deaths of someone just like themselves if they had a questionable past. I saw many people who would blanket us, cover us up as if we did not exist. I saw many who would uncover us once funding became available. I learned gang-like mentality is not just among youth or those identified as gang members. I've also learned money is valued more than many people. I learned it is not racial. Crime does pay. I learned many of us - of all ethnic backgrounds- have become commodities. I learned many of all ethnic backgrounds are overlooked as many focus on political careers, their organizations and their departments for money. I learned many will be divided, overshadowed, overlooked by grant funding.

In addressing youth violence I learned to see beyond my color and I learned too see all our sons and daughters. I pay homage to the deceased and the families of all ethnic backgrounds. When I learned to see "one of our own" means more than color, my vision was no longer clouded with distractions of race and my outrage turned to genuine concern for the life and freedom of all our son's and daughters.

By the Grace of God, I learned to see love and not the color of a person's skin. I learned to see pain and not distractions. I have met so many wonderful people African American, Caucasian, Latino, Native American, Chinese, Hmong, Mien, Lao, East Indian, Samoan, Japanesse, Filipino, Pacific Islander.. each concerned with life and freedom of all our sons and daughters. Since 2005 I have met people from all walks of life, all faiths, those who do not believe in organized religion or don't believe in religiion at all, people from different economic, social, ethnic backgrounds willing to address youth violence in the spirit of Love.

The common denominator is LOVE and not COLOR. I learned, by seeing so much unconditional love, to go beyond writing an article solely on African American youth when so many more are dying on our streets or sentenced to live and die in a California State Prison. I learned to see beyond race when some within the same ethnic background would dismiss the life and freedom and when I saw people of all ethnic backgrounds will address life and freedom. I learned in addressing youth violence not to generalize people by ethnic, economic, religious or social status. I learned many of us -- divided into communities of victims and suspects -- are loved conditionally when funding is available. And equally important I learned many more love us unconditionally.

Again, thank you Sacramento Press for extending love and hearing the cries of all affected and exposed to violence. I am truly honored to receive second place when so many community members wrote such wonderful articles.

Rhonda Erwin

Thank you Sacramento Press! - Cries Echo

2009-11-19T08:08:42Z

Thank you Sacramento Press!

It is an honor and I am truly grateful to receive second place when so many talented, insightful and knowledgeable contributors such as William Burg, Ali Tabatabai, Marion Millin, Michael Zwahlen, Kate Traci, Ryan Kinsel, Sue Wilson, Anne Lowe and so many others wrote wonderful and informative articles. I never expected to win.

I truly appreciate an opportunity to allow the voice of so many of us to be heard. I truly appreciate Sacramento Press for allowing me to pay homage to the youth who have lost their lives as a result of youth violence.

On behalf of those who have lost their lives and on behalf of all the friends, siblings, parents and grandparents affected by the loss of a loved one, I truly appreciate Sacramento Press for hearing our cries which echo from one neighborhood to another.

In 2002, I lived on Valley Hi Drive when an 18-year-old girl was driving on Valley Hi with friends. A passenger in the vehicle yelled out to someone walking on Valley Hi Drive and gunshots erupted. The girl was shot in the back and lost control of her car. Her friend, a passenger, attempted to grab the wheel as the girl sat in the driver's seat dying. The bullet someone intended for the passenger struck and killed the 18-year-old girl.

I know a bullet has no name, but the deceased - a beautiful girl- had a name, a life, a family. Her name was Christine Cheatman. I never met her family but I mourned the passing of their daughter. I think it's important I mention that "Our cries echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another" is not solely regarding African American youth. The young girl who drove down Valley Hi Drive, shot, lost control of her car, wrecked, dead from a gunshot wound was Caucasian. I pay homage to Caucasian youth murdered as a result of youth violence.

20-year-old Adam - gunshot wound to the back is Caucasian. 17-year-old Paul - gunshot wound to the back is Caucasian. 19-year-old Jeremy - multiple gunshot wounds is Caucasian. 19-year-old Mathew - gunshot wounds head and chest is Caucasian. 18-year-old Joshua - gunshot wounds to the head is Caucasian. 17-year-old Amber - multiple gunshot wounds is Caucasian.

I wrote of the mother awakening to find her son James dying in his brother's arms, and I have to respect the families I wrote about and I have to respect the ethnic backgrounds and loss of life of all. Young James, who also died a premature death, is Latino.

The father, who called me and whose son I visited in the morgue, is Latino. The mother, Debbie, carried to her son's grave, is Latino. 19-year-old Richard, whose aunt works in public safety, is Latino. 19-year-old Ismael, shot in the torso, is Latino. 18-year-old Oscar, who died of multiple gunshot wounds, is Latino.

On May 30, 2005, then-Police Chief Najera (in passing, when complaints were made toward an alleged police brutality case) stated, "A black young man between the ages of 16-24, in the city of Sacramento has a 50-percent chance to die and he is dying at the hands of another black young man." I read in a Sacramento County African American youth had a 47-percent chance of incarceration.

Each year I read the Sacramento County Child Death Review Team report and learned African American babies died at an alarming rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.(SIDS) I was outraged and wondered could infant death and teen homicide death be the reason African American youth only represented 7 percent of the youth population? I attended several workshops and I learned the County department of Health , organizations and many residents were addressing the SIDS deaths but so few addressed youth death and youth arrest.

I was outraged in 2006 when the chief stood before then-Mayor Fargo at a special meeting relating to youth violence and appeared shocked of the mounting deaths and arrests and stated, "I didn't see this coming," when media attention toward the deaths/arrest of area youth began to surface. Surely the District Attorney and the Police Chief would have access to information to know youth of all ethnic backgrounds between the ages of 13 and 24 were dying as a result of youth violence. I knew, due to his 2005 statement, the police chief was aware African American teens had a 50-percent chance to die and at that time SPD had a 92-percent arrest rate. I saw death and arrest as the only solution for youth violence. I was outraged.

I was outraged when I attended the Annual County Child Death Review Team hearing and learned of the significant efforts to address youth taking the lives of themselves, (teen suicide) youth killed by adults (child abuse-child neglect) and insignificant efforts toward youth-on-youth violence.

I was outraged when I learned of the efforts of the District Attorney's grant-funded program GIFT (Gun Impact For Teens) and knowing the GIFT of life and freedom never reached a community (schools in underprivileged neighborhoods) directly affected and exposed to violence.

I was outraged when I attended the annual victims assistance rally and saw photos of crime victims whose families could not receive victims assistance since their loved one had a questionable past but their photos would be paraded in what I saw as a crime victims-CDCR-political agenda.

When 13-year-old Lenny was shot and killed, I mourned his passing. He was shot while standing outside with friends less than a mile from where I lived.

I attended the Hmong, Mien, Lao task force meeting where city, county, state officials, SCUSD officials and community members were present to address violence after Lenny's death. Prior to Lenny's death a Hmong youth was shot and killed on Florin Road in broad daylight. Days apart a black youth was also shot and killed in broad daylight on Mack Road. Several articles ran in the daily paper regarding Hmong gangs need swift broad response, Hmong gang situation urgent... One person stated in an article, "Hmong gangs came into existence due to pre-existing African American and Hispanic gangs to protect themselves." I was outraged. If African American and Latino gangs were "pre-existing" why simply address Hmong gangs with swift broad response? If the gangs were to protect themselves from African American and Latino gangs why were Hmong youth killed by other Hmong youth?

For the most part everytime I learned of a death the victim was of the same ethnic background as the suspect. I wondered if perhaps the youth didn't value the life of someone just like themselves when it appeared the city didn't value the lives or freedom of all youth. I wanted resources for Hmong youth but I was outraged seeing so many elected officials only looking for resources for Hmong youth. I was outraged seeing so much division. Everywhere I looked I saw gang-like mentality. I saw some dismissing "some of their own" if they had a questionable past. And some dismissing some who were not the same ethnic background just for not being the same ethnic background.

I will admit, initially, I was outraged when I sat in the Hmong Mien, Lao Taskforce meeting and a middle-aged leader said, "Anyone can help but this task force is only for Hmong, Mien, Lao youth." However, I attended several Hmong, Mien and Lao taskforce meetings and I was impressed with the efforts of the task-force and their ability and willingness to guarantee life and freedom for their youth. I attended many community meetings, marches, rallies. In 2005 I held several townhall meetings. I worked with people of all ethnic backgrounds on a march/ rally to save the lives of all Sacramento youth, so I appreciate the efforts of everyone.

Whenever I learned of a teen/ youth death I mourned regardless of area, regardless of economic, social and ethnic background. Death has no color. Prevention or mourning should not be conditional. I looked everywhere for unconditional love.

I respect the fact that culture is also prevention. I pay homage to Hmong youth murdered as a result of youth violence. 18-year-old Cha - gunshot wound to the chest. 19-year-old Gao - gunshot wound to the head. 19-year-old Ker - gunshot wound to the head. 20-year-old Tommy - gunshot wound to the torso.

But the separation by ethnic background is prominent more among middle-aged folks than youth.
Every funeral I ever attended there were youth present of all different ethnic backgrounds. A black youth who died was not buried solely by black youth, there were many different ethnic backgrounds attending the funeral. At funerals I saw love has no color.

I've seen black youth at funerals of homicide victims who are not black. I saw friends of all ethnic backgrounds mourning the loss of a friend. I fail to see how simply reaching out to "one of our own" will prevent much violence when youth violence is generally self-hate and youth hurting someone just like themselves, same ethnic, social, economic background. I failed to see how simply reaching out to one of our own will prevent much violence when youth are influenced, impressed, associated, affiliated, friends with so many other youth.

It appeared the youth didn't value lives of someone just like themselves, so I appreciate cultural empowerment. I wanted the youth to see community leadership in their ethnic background verses gang membership. I wanted to no longer see gang culture masguerade as youth culture. I learned to see the value in reaching out to "one of our own" to show love for self and culture. But I still believed a greater love was needed otherwise the youth are a reflection of some adults- divided by groups. I wondered how can we disarm gang violence with gang-mentality? The youth should see and know they are embraced and loved by people of all ethnic backgrounds.Perhaps then they would have a greater love for self.

To address youth violence, I strongly feel we need to go beyond our own race when youth and gangs are often divided within race and not often divided by race.

I pay homage to Russian youth whose bodies lay dead on Sacramento streets. 17-year-old Pavel - shot in the torso and killed. 22-year-old Igor - shot in the chest and killed. 21-year-old Dimitry - shot in the neck and chest and killed. I learned our cries echo in English and the voices of languages other than English. I learned our tears are colorless, our pain is colorless and our spirit is colorless.

I pay homage to Asian youth murdered: 19-year-old Vihn - gunshot wound, 23-year-old Nicki - gunshot wound to chest, 21-year-old Diane - gunshot wound to to the head. 18-year-old Tan - gunshot wound to head.

I pay homage to Pacific Islander youth murdered. 19-year-old Samuel - gunshot wound to chest. 23-year-old Rocky, a Samoan youth - gunshot wound to head. 21-year-old Kam, a Cambodian youth - gunshot wound to chest. I pay homage to East Indian youth murdered who died in Sacramento as a result of youth violence. 19-year-old Jarnail - dead. 17-year-old Navid shot in the back and hand, dying, in a car with his friend by his side. 21-year-old Neelesh shot in the head. 18-year-old Michael shot in the head.

I pay homage to Filipino youth shot and killed. 20-year-old Ryan shot in the head and neck. 18-year-old Rhea shot in the head...

I pay homage to Vietnamese youth shot and killed. 19-year-old Vinh - gunshot wound to the head...

I pay homage to Laotian youth shot and killed. 18-year-old Southalay shot and killed.

I pay homage to Chinese youth shot and killed. 17-year-old Quang shot in the head.

I pay homage to Korean youth shot and killed. 24-year-old Brittany shot in the head.

I pay homage to African American youth whose bodies have also lain dead on Sacramento streets. 18-year-old Jack, 16-year-old Curtis, 21-year-old Donald, 17-year-old Deantwean, 16-year-old Phillip, 16-year-old Rodney, 15-year-old Shavtavia.

To be fair Sacramento officials have discriminated on where services addressing youth violence would go but they have not discriminated on who dies or who is sentenced to a life in prison. A 14-year-old girl was arrested and faced life without parole and she was not black. Two 16-year-old's were arrested for murder and faced life in prison and they were not black. An 18-year-old sentenced to life in prison and he was not black. Another 16-year-old arrested and facing life in prison for murder and he is not black. A 14-year-old black teen arrested for murder. Many have taken their last breath on Sacramento streets and many more will live and breathe in a California prison.

The dead on our streets and the walking dead - as a result of youth violence - in California State Prisons are also of all different ethnic backgrounds. Many of them not possessing prejudice or hate of different ethnic backgrounds until they enter one of California prisons where gangs are then divided by race. Some have gone from self-hate to hating others of different ethnic backgrounds once entering a California prison.

See Part 2 of this story here

Response to Sacramento Steps Forward Initiative article/ Mayor Johnson

2009-11-06T20:06:07Z

Letter in regards to Sacramento Steps Forward Initiative article:

With all my heart I wanted to read the article and only see the good. With all my heart I wanted to not write anything negative towards such a positive step for this city. But in all honesty the article raised deep concerns and to avoid writing a long post I'm writing my concerns here. Is this a Step forward? When will a community begin to Take Steps Towards Healing??? I feel as though sometimes we takes steps and then we step on a treadmill and no longer move forward.

I've addressed youth violence for many years. I've seen many "steps forward" which ended in people walking in reverse or walking on a treadmill. I've watched the recognition, funding, employment positions go to everyone but those affected and or exposed to the violence. I know what it feels like to hurt so bad and have that hurt compounded when poverty pimps ride in alleging to save the day with hidden or not so hidden agenda's or for the love of money and not the love of people.

In addressing youth violence I've seen people parade around as peacocks more interested in themselves than the cause. I've seen people manipulate and sway public interest and it compounds our pain. I've watched the homeless come to city hall weekly and it is my opinion that Mayor Johnson's continuous statement of " the homeless do not need a handout, they need a hand up, they want to be empowered" Can the homeless get credit? After all they were at city hall each week begging for shelter and informing the mayor of the empowerment and resources they needed. The mayor's comment adds insult to injury , it underestimates and insults the intelligence of many.

Mayor Johnson is appearing to once again make himself look good by ---this time inadvertently--- by not only making the homeless look bad but by also making the city counsel look bad. I appreciate the beautiful, heart-felt and insightful comment written by both bbbbmer and William Burg on the article. Bbbbmer writes, ".... We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, and there but for the grace of God go you or I... But a nice P.R. event, complete with appearances by minor celebrity backers of this mayor, is not enough. This merely turns such efforts into a party... The proof of the puddin' will be when such parties materialize into real units of shelter -- not just 'beds' -- but four walls, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a job, for all who need it..." -- AMEN

It is a shame that community members are put in a position to where we have to make our mayor's " fastest move our slowest". Is he looking at the homeless or is he looking at himself? Personally I don't care how the homeless get shelter. I'd want the homeless to have shelter by hook or crook. But I do care of what occurs beyond the shelter. It's like we have a mayor playing a game of chest and doing so with the homeless. It is concerning and overwhelmingly painful when it appears we have a mayor making the homeless--Prawns. It appears the homeless are Prawns being bumped around by people protecting the King (the Mayor). The special assistants, strategists, campaign managers, volunteers (the rook, knight, Bishop, queen) all protecting the Mayor gliding across the board (community) as the prawns (homeless) can only take one step at a time and able to be bumped off by everyone on the board including themselves....

I know what it feels like to be a prawn and be overshadowed by everything and everyone because in addressing youth violence - I too have been a prawn- but I do know the prawn can be taken out but is also the only player in the game who doesn't remain the same and can come back on the board as a higher player. I give thanks and appreciation to the homeless not Lisa Ling, Mayor Johnson....

It is wonderful that people are extending love to the homeless. But for goodness sake why does it appear LOVE is being used for promotion? It breaks my heart.

Love is a 2-way street, we are not riding on one way roads. We appear to be sending out a message of love for the homeless but where is the mention of the love possessed by the homeless? The love of the homeless, loving enough, to stand with Johnson as he overshadows love with promotion. Johnson is appearing as a knight in shining armor to help the homeless when it is the homeless who are helping Johnson and others with recognition. The "Give a man a fish he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime" goes both ways. The homeless issue has taught ( is empowering) Mayor Johnson how to fish. Mayor Johnson appears to have his hand out instead of looking, working, laboring for a hand-up.

Johnson should give credit and respect to the homeless for teaching him how to fish through homelessness instead of appearing to ride in on a high-horse to save the day. I've watched so many take credit on issues regarding youth violence and so many of us who are actually laboring for free without pay, without even wanting credit are seen as simply wanting our hand-outs.

It breaks my heart every time I look in this city for a dove of peace and I find another vulture surrounding the crisis of the poor for either profit or recognition into advancing a department or career.

Our mayor isn't doing anything that people with limited resources haven't tried to do and with resources at his disposal he should do it. I can't in all honestly give kudo's to him for not going beyond what is expected. He is doing what is expected of a Mayor - with a weak form of government or strong. We know he can take photos, we know he has no problem with promoting himself. We know often times it appears he does just enough to get it mentioned and not enough to get the job done. Heck the gang/ youth summit was a good photo and nothing more...

I give the initiative Sacramento Steps Forward the benefit of the doubt since so many others are laboring who I feel are sincere at heart. Heck I expect to see more good deeds from Johnson (that his PR team will make sure doesn't go unnoticed and make sure the counsel is not noticed) as he moves towards his Stong Mayor Proposal. Surely Mayor Johnson knows that out-of-sight is out-of-mind and will remain in our sights on photo ops until the SMP goes to voters. Heck we have to crawl before we can walk, walk before we can run.... and I am very glad the homeless are getting shelter whether it is by hook or crook. One good thing came from the Strong Mayor Proposal it put fire behind our mayor and his strategist to move on some issues.

But for goodness sake for ONCE I'd like to see our mayor take a photo NEXT to his colleagues- his associates- his peers- OUR- TEAM-THE-COUNSEL and stop making it appear he's moving this city by himself to sway others of the need for a strong mayor. Every time I see Mayor Johnson in a photo I wonder why he doesn't take photos next to his colleagues-- all the city counsel members showing the public a team effort? Personally I feel he's not a team player with our team- our city manager, our city clerk, our city counsel. But a team player with his team- his lawyers, his strategists.....

IF Mayor Johnson were a humble man every time he stood on stage to mask in his own glory he'd stand with our counsel. For goodness sake they are suppose to be a TEAM. The article reads: After Johnson thanked Brown, Sister Libby Fernandez and Joan Burke, both of of Loaves and Fishes, he introduced Sacramento-native Ling, the host of National Geographic Explorer. Earlier this year, as a special correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show, she reported on Sacramento's "tent city," which brought other media outlets to the site."
---- Did Johnson thank the city counsel or the city manager? No

The article reads-"Your mayor, so many members of the homeless advocacy community, members of the city and county rose to the occasion and decided to tackle (homelessness) head on," Ling said. "I'm so proud of the way so many members of this community have come together (and) if Sacramento is successful (housing the homeless), it could be a model for the rest of the country."--- It wasn't Ling's responsibility and she did not specifically mention the counsel.
---- Was Johnson humble and redirect Ling's comment and give appreciation to or mention the city counsel? No

It appears some are trying to show us the need for a strong mayor with further trickery. Of course we would need a strong mayor proposal if we have an absent counsel, a weak counsel, a counsel not moving in efforts..... The homeless agenda is moving forward but we as a government are moving backwards with a Mayor who will not play with OUR TEAM--all of us. Mayor Johnson is not Kobe, at least Kobe was a ball hog but got the job done. But Johnson can't be a ball hog and get the job done (that's why he has so many assistants!!!) And even Kobe needed the rest of the team.

We are a team and we should be treated as a team. Mayor Johnson appears not capable of shifting the paradigm from a power-over us to a power-with us and that is concerning.

Rhonda Erwin
Disclosure: A Prawn who has addressed youth violence long enough to know and see all the players on the board. I am a prawn so I know the value of those not privileged in income but rich in love. I am a prawn who was bumped off the board but came back... I've addressed youth violence long enough to know a prawn needs more than prawns to put the king in chest mate and I look forward to more community members to join the red-flag campaign to knock off the Queen (developers) Knights (assistants, special interests) Rook (strategists) and put the King (Mayor Johnson) in chest mate. The king doesn't have to leave the board--- but we can stop his movements and insist the mayor has a power-with the community and not a power over us.

I feel like Rockwell: Is Somebody watching me?

2009-11-05T17:24:42Z

I feel like Rockwell: Is somebody watching me?

This morning I received a phone call at 8:03 a.m. from a friend I've been waiting to speak with. She stated, "Hi, Rhonda I have the stuff."

I replied something like, "Oh good. I haven't burned none in about two weeks. I ran out. You called at the right time. I've been under stress, angry at so many. Wow, it's good to hear from you, today of all days I need to burn some."

I met her on a Native American Woman's Retreat. She makes her own soap, chap stick and candles. She's also shown me how to burn sage, cedar, sweet grass to release negative energy and bring in positive energy.

She said she has to drop her son off at school and will meet me halfway and asked where we can meet? My friend lives far son instead of coming all the way to my house we agreed to meet at the Goodwill on Franklin and Florin Road.

She said, "I'm in my mom's old ugly car."

I said, "I'll be using a car that's old too, a banana boat. It's yellow and old." We laughed and I began to get dressed.

I was running late. My friend called and I said I'll be there in about five to ten minutes. She arrived at Goodwill before I did. I pulled in to the parking lot and pulled in next to her car. We both got out our cars and we hugged one another and began catching up on events since the retreat.

As we stood talking and about an hour later, I noticed two men in the car in the next row were not getting out their cars. I noticed they didn't appear to be waiting on anyone. I noticed they both appeared to be staring in my direction. One was in a small nice car directly facing me. The other was in a nice truck parked next to the car facing the opposite direction. But it was the one in the opposite direction which caused me concern and caused me to also notice the man parked next to him.

The man in the truck wore semi-dark glasses and he never looked away from his driver side mirror. His was continuously looking at me through his mirror. I wondered why he just didn't turn the truck around to face me since he would not take his eyes off the mirror looking in my direction.

I was there for nearly an hour and a half. I hadn't seen my friend since our retreat and she was bring me photos of the retreat as well as soap and cedar. At the mountain area we took some cedar, left an offering and she kept it to dry out since I am unfamiliar with processing it (drying it out). I recently learned to burn sage, cedar and sweetgrass during difficult times as a Native American ceremony to let the smoke take away negative energy. It's a relaxation method.

My friend and I had lots to catch up on talking about our children, relationships, community events ... I told my friend there is something wrong here, those men are watching us. She said they came around when I came. "They moved to where they are before you came," she said. "They aren't watching me, they seem to be watching you. Who did you make mad?"

I replied, "Heck, in one paper I criticized Homeland Security funding to the Sacramento Police Department for camera's to spy on community members, and in another I criticized the Mayor. I recently criticized Sacramento Police Department on DUI grant funding. In my son's appeal I criticized the Sheriff's detective misconduct and recently, the last two days, I've criticized an officer at the Sacramento Police Department regarding youth and gangs. Shoot, it's like who shot JR Ewing? Take your pick."

We both laughed and our laugh grew as we both suddenly recalled our 8:03 a.m. conversation where she said, "I got the stuff" and I said, "I haven't burned none in a while." We nearly fell to the ground laughing.

I have a few questions maybe I could ask officer Michelle. Can a person's phone be tapped by law enforcement without a warrant? What grounds can a persons phone be tapped? What part of a conversation can be used? Heck I feel so bad, I was mad at family members.

She was mad at her spouse and children. If we ever had to go to court, I don't think our family will be with us for support if a tape of our conversation is used. But seriously, how can a person find out who the heck is watching them? For the life of me, I don't know what circumstances will allow a warrant to be granted against me to tap my phone. I don't use drugs, I don't buy drugs. I don't sell drugs. I don't transport drugs. I'm not a terrorist. Heck, when you speak out about nearly every branch of law enforcement, you really shouldn't go around breaking laws. And I don't.

I just don't know why my phone would or could possibly be tapped. The whole event was really strange as if they were waiting on me to arrive. And it was not until this morning that my friend called and I told her to meet me there. This was not a planned meeting.

This is not the first time something strange has happened. A couple of years ago I was walking downtown on I Street headed to the light rail. I crossed the street, talking on my cell phone, arguing about a sheriff detective misconduct, and suddenly two people - a black male and a white female, actually dressed like tourists in flower shirts, walked away from the crowd and headed straight to me pulling me aside and asking for my identification.

I was caught off guard and without questioning their motives, I reached in my purse and handed my driver's license to them. Then they looked at it and apologized and stated I matched a description. A car came up the alley and they got in and left and I never learned who they were. Until today I thought no more of that occurrence.

Several events by themselves didn't cause me as much concern but now when they are all put together it is becoming concerning. I've had a sheriff detective email removed from my computer and replaced with different photos after I complained I could prove misconduct.

Last month after I debated with the mayor's assistance that I saved emails and as I was again doing my son's appeal, all my 2009 and some of my 2008 emails were removed by someone from my computer. I filed a police report but I haven't heard anything from it. Then today it appeared I was being watched in the parking lot at Goodwill.

After going on two hours and after I waived at one who I believe to be an officer and he waived back, they both drove off and moved over one row. After my friend and I replayed our conversation laughing at what we had said on the phone and things we said about our family members, children, white T-shirts and youth, the two men who previously ignored one another the entire time backed out the parking spaces began talking with one another and drove off.

I wish now I would have walked to the car and truck and asked what agency they were with, but at the time I was too busy laughing with my friend. We were not laughing at the officers. We were laughing at the phone conversation we had and just how it really sounds and how someone could misinterpret it as being criminal.

I told my friend perhaps I should be honored, maybe I am the safest person in Sacramento with my own private security. I feel like the mayor. Heck, if I am robbed, at least an officer will be nearby.

I do not believe in conspiracy theories and unlawful plots against citizens. I do not believe their is a conspiring group against me.

I do not criticize all members of law enforcement. I do not generalize. I do respect, appreciate and value the services provided by Law enforcement.

But my mind goes back to a song by Rockwell, 'I always feel like Somebody's watching me' and I have no privacy. To my knowledge I don't have enemies. Or perhaps I do.

Kudos to the City of Sacramento 3-1-1

2009-11-05T04:25:12Z

Kudos to the City of Sacramento 311

Last night around 8:30 I was frustrated and left to go for a walk. I put on my headset and left my house. As I walked several blocks I passed a bus stop. It was dark and I paid no attention if anyone was seated inside the Regional Transit booth.

I heard a faint soft female voice. I turned around but I didn't see anyone. Then I took off my headset and I heard the words, "Ma'am, Ma'am" Slightly irritated, I abruptly said, "What?"

I will admit the first thing that came to my mind was to say "No, I don't have any money." But I am glad, so glad I did not accuse the person of wanting money and walk away ignoring her.

Seated at the bus stop was a young girl in the dark with no jacket, wearing flip-flops, jeans and a thin short-sleeve shirt. The girl began sobbing so rapidly and uncontrollably. She could not speak. The cries continued with her often taking the time to catch her breath. The tears were streaming down her young face.

Then she said, "My sister put me out. I have nowhere to go." She cried harder. "I don't know anybody here. I don't know where I am." And with another deep breath, she cried, "My sister got on the bus and left me here." I went to hold the girl and tell her it would be all right and she opened her arms and held me tightly. She held me, a stranger, in the dark as if she did not want to let me go. I suggested we walk down the street to the job corps to see if they had resources or referrals.

At first she hesitated. I know it wasn't easy for her to walk away with a stranger. I asked her how old she was, and she said, "I just turned 17." But she looked so much younger.

I've seen many youth on the streets and this girl still had innocence. It was apparent there was no street-smarts about this young girl. I told her I would call the police for her. Through sobs and trembles, she said." "My sister said if I call the police on her I can never ever come back." I asked if she needed to call family or friends, and she said, "My mother is not in California and I really don't know anyone here. I just enrolled in Burbank, but I don't have friends yet. I watch my sister's 5-year-old son most of the time." Then she cried out, "Who is going to watch my nephew?"

The girl watched me dial three numbers and said, "Is it the police?" I said, "No, honey, it is 3-1-1." If I felt there was a criminal bone in this young girl's body I would of called 9-1-1, but this girl seriously looked as though she needed services, counseling, support and not questions. The last thing I wanted to do was compound her concerns.

A gentleman answered the phone. He was the nicest, most supportive person I had spoken with in quite some time. I let him talk to the girl and through her tears and sobs she answered his questions. But most of her answers were "I don't know where I am. I don't know the ZIP code here. I don't know what street this is" and she handed me the phone so I could answer the questions. As I spoke with the 3-1-1 operator I could hear her faint voice in the background saying over and over to me, "Thank you, thank you, thank you." The 3-1-1 operator found a shelter number and said, "Ma'am, this is it. I found one for us." He said, "for us."

The 3-1-1 operator did not say he found shelter for the young girl. We were in this together. This girl wasn't alone. She had me. She had the 3-1-1 operator. She was going to have the shelter. By the grace of God, she was not alone. So many of us were standing in the dark with her. He told me to please call him back and let him know what happens and if we need to continue to look for resources.

I hung up the phone and called WIND Youth Services. I was excited. A few years ago I attended a rally downtown where several organizations were addressing homeless teens in Sacramento and I recalled the name and their posters. I told the girl, "I heard of this place. This will be good." The girl was still crying and said, "I didn't do nothing wrong. I didn't do anything." I told her it doesn't matter. And then trying to get a smile from her I told her, "Honey, if I took you home, neither one of us would get any sleep. You would be in a strange house with someone you met who walked by a bus stop. I wouldn't get any sleep wondering if in the middle of the night you'd sneak to the door and let someone in for a robbery," and we both laughed. I held her as I called WIND.

The WIND employee offered to send a car to pick her up. As I spoke with the WIND employee, tears filled my eyes. Now two more people were with us in the dark to help this girl.

When WIND called me back, I explained the situation. "I am with a young girl. I'm calling for a women's shelter. But my name is Rhonda Erwin." He said, "Ms. Erwin, how are you? It's been a long time since we spoke." I then recognized his voice. And I cried. I cried because I knew she was in good hands. I was not going to send her to ride with strangers. "Othello!" I screamed. I had worked with Othello a couple years ago addressing youth violence and attended many summits, workshops and planning meetings with him. I had no idea where he was or what he was now doing. It was beautiful.

Within 15 minutes Othello arrived. I knew she was nervous. I gave the girl my number. I told her if I was worried about the man who picked her up I would get in the car and ride with her. But I knew she was safe. Othello explained the services of WIND and gave the young girl their pamphlet. I wrote my phone number on the material and told her to please call me any time day or night.

She held me so tight and cried, "Thank you, ma'am, thank you." I held her as tight as I could and told her, "No, thank you. I needed to leave my house tonight and meet you. I needed to see the services provided by the city of Sacramento 3-1-1. I needed to see the services provided by WIND. I needed you tonight. We were all sent to each other. God is good. God, my child, is love."

She drove off with the services of WIND beneath her wings. I waited in the area for quite some time. I did hope to see her 21-year-old, sister come back to the bus stop. I pictured the headlines in my head.' South Area Youth Activist Accused of Assaulting 21yr-old Youth." I was filled with love but angry that this woman left her sister at the bus stop with no money, no coat, no phone to leave with her boyfriend. No one appeared to be coming back for the girl, so I walked home giving God all the honor, praise and glory for showing me the love this city has to offer.

As I prepared for bed I called WIND to check on the girl's arrival and emotional condition and a female answered. "The girl is sitting right here with me and she wants to say, 'One more time, thank you.'" I hung up, closed my eyes and said, kudos to the city of Sacramento 3-1-1 services and kudos to WIND. So many of us are proving to be the wind beneath the wings of Sacramento teens and youth.

Rhonda Erwin

If you know of youth ages 11 to 22 needing services, please contact WIND. Youth can drop in for free: breakfast and lunch, food boxes, clothing, showers, laundry facilities, lockers, computer lab, daily activities, nurse on site two days a week and housing assistance. Shelter is available for ages 11 to 17. The number listed on the brochure is 443-8333.

Sacramento Press: Enabling the Community to Offer Food for Thought

2009-10-29T23:27:19Z

Give a man a fish, and he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he can eat for a lifetime. Words to live by and appearing to be the motto of Sacramento Press..

Recently I read the article "Is the Sacramento Press Fostering Civil Debate -- Or Encouraging Hate Speech?", written by Steven Maviglio.. Maviglio writes, "There's some good back-and-forth, and we agree to disagree without name-calling or insults or questions about our motivation. It's free speech -- the kind of debate that is good for this website and good for our city."

I agree. The "back-and-forth" without insults or questions about our motivation is good. It is dialogue -- if we plan to only eat for a day, but many of us plan to eat for a lifetime. So our comments can go beyond simply agreeing to disagree and become passionate food for thought.

Maviglio also writes, "There are some who typically hide behind screen names, that think name-calling and obscenities are effective ways to make their point."

I'm no stranger to personal attacks by someone hiding behind a screen name. I know people can become frustrated when someone deliberately insults or underestimates their intelligence.

Having read many of Maviglio's comments I can understand the frustration community members can feel toward his attempts to sway public opinion. But two wrongs don't make a right.

I learned from Maviglio's article that I too should tone down my responses and try not to offend others even when I am offended. But I don't dwell in hate and nor do I see the comments of others posting on Sacramento Press toward Maviglio being written in hate.

I know I've become frustrated with him on more than one occasion. I've learned Maviglio is a professional campaign manager whose comments I've read, on Sacramento Press and other sites, appear to have a tendency to stretch the truth to get a desired effect. However, I can't put much weight on the argument in his article since I haven't read any obscenities.

I enjoy reading the Sacramento Press because I feel it can disarm hate by giving the people a voice.

Recently I read an article by Mayor Kevin Johnson, "It's all about accountability," in which Johnson writes, "I love accountability ... and I find it curious when elected officials and the media decide the moment has arrived to wrap their arms around the fundamentals of accountability for the time being. They demand accountability for everyone but themselves. They choose which rules they follow .... Let's talk about accountability. It's a subject I understand ... I demand accountability for myself, my staff and every employee in the city of Sacramento."

Surely we can see how community members can be frustrated when many feel the mayor hasn't been held accountable with mismanagement of St. Hope, with allegations of a relationship with minors, with the $25,000 loan to SAG which was forgiven and became a gift in the midst of controversy and other concerns.

Whether the allegations are true or not I do not know but I do believe where there is smoke there is fire.

I do know community members are frustrated by a mayor who doesn't appear to be accountable for his own actions or the actions of those he hires to protect and serve him. And people need an avenue to vent, they need to let their voices be heard to disarm hate.

I find it curious when our mayor, for the time being, has found the moment to wrap his arms around the fundamentals of accountability.

Does our mayor really demand accountability for his staff? Is his staff solely accountable only to him or can they be held accountable to the public? The mayor is a public servant so it would seem anyone employed or assigned a volunteer position by him should also be held accountable to the public and would face strong criticism by the public when it appears they are not truthful.

Both Johnson's article on accountability and his campaign manager Steve Maviglio's article on civil debate appear to be attempts to also sway public opinion and both articles can foster hate. I value the Sacramento Press for giving the community a chance to create a much needed balance and disarm political manipulation.

We could argue whether Johnson is fostering civil debate or hate speech with his article, in which he claims he is asking the city council for accountability.

Johnson -- a mayor who has failed to be transparent in other avenues -- calls out council members in a public forum on his blog rather than working directly with them to overcome this issue.

Johnson, who will meet in secrecy, without the public and without council members, to develop the SMP and who did not have the courage to hold community meetings prior to the Strong Mayor Proposal being written in stone, wrote, "... but they have no courage. And while I won't speculate as to their motives, their lack of courage and need for secrecy erases any legitimacy of their act."

Johnson, who took a "situation" and asked the City Manager to investigate how privileged city documents were being leaked to the media, writes, "Accountability is not situational. It can't be used for political convenience. You are either accountable, or you are not."

Without a public outlet the mayor's article can cause a great deal of frustration.

When you only have two minutes to address the mayor during council sessions and a mayor who has given you so much to complain about and will not acknowledge your complaints, you can begin to comment in an angry tone. Between Johnson's political swagger and his campaign manager's more than 125 comments on Sacramento Press and many other comments on other news sites regarding articles on the mayor, people can be frustrated with all the propaganda put before us.

We can agree to disagree to comments by community members, but when Mr. Maviglio appears to manipulate the comment site it becomes concerning.

I confronted the mayor at a city session and the man who claims to demand accountability for himself and staff, would not be accountable. Did he apologize? No. We know he's capable of offering an apology. He's apologized to Nestlé. The mayor's apologies as well as accountability appear to be situational.

When you have a mayor who appears to transform city hall into a castle and the city of Sacramento into his kingdom you have to expect public outcry.. When you have a mayor who appears to disregard the voice of the people raising concerns, questions and disapproval of his behavior and you have media outlets who will also disregard the voice of the people -- the people can become angry.

When you have a mayor who appears to create a moat around the castle (city hall) making it too deep for the public to simply wade through with special assistants, campaign managers, volunteers to defend him against the public the people can become angry. When you have a mayor who appears to begin warfare against his colleagues, the council members we voted into office, the anger can cause some not-so-kind remarks. But it is anger and disappointment and not hate speech.

Has Johnson ever apologized for the negative comments by those under his advisement toward the city attorney, opponents of SMP or attacks on council members? No. I stood in front of the mayor at a council session and was later laughed at. Did he apologize? No.

He laughed and with the assistance of an assistant, he mocked me. Does the mayor address the concerns of the general public when they are given two minutes to speak? No. He simply looks at their name on the speaker request form and says "thank you."

Johnson does not appear to foster civil debate and his deliberate attempt of dismissing the public concerns can foster anger, animosity, division and yes, sometimes hate.

It doesn't appear to be the Sacramento Press who is fostering hate. It appears to be the actions of our mayor and his campaign manager and the fact he is not accountable for his actions or the actions of his assistants which can and has frustrated a community and at times caused hate speech.

Fostering hate goes beyond comments some may write on a Sacramento Press site. In fact the site offers an opportunity for people, like myself, to air out our differences, concerns, complaints in a constructive forum. Sacramento Press offers an opportunity for us to have a voice and build a constructive bridge of dialogue.

The media is a powerful tool and a tool which it appears politicians, including our mayor, have found a way to manipulate. But on Sacramento Press (as well as SN&R) writers balance out the bull with the truth and the community responds.

On Sacramento Press, the community is given a forum to write and balance out all the political propaganda we're reading and seeing from press releases and actions constructed by political hired help to sway public opinion. I've seen this deception cause a great deal of anger. But I have not seen the tone of anger on Sacramento Press that I have seen on another site and I believe it is due to the fact the community has an input and direct ongoing dialogue with the writers.

I don't see Sacramento Press as fostering hate. I see it as a tool to remain in the spirit of love and overcome hate by giving a voice to everyone.

The mayor, in an effort to make himself look good by making the council look bad, writes "How did a majority of the city council respond? With disdain, ridicule and ambivalence ..." It seems disdain, ridicule and ambivalence goes beyond Sacramento Press commenters. It appears the common denominator to fostering hate speech, disdain, ridicule and ambivalence is Johnson and the fact that he is not so transparent and neither are his special assistants and campaign manager.

I've read hateful comments on Sacramento Bee where people wrote "get ready, your young butt will be raped in prison, hope you're found hung."

I've read truly disturbing hateful racial attacks on youth, hateful comments regarding low income community members when articles are written during budget times. I've read hate-filled comments from both some within the community toward law enforcement and some within law enforcement toward community members.

What I am reading on Sacramento Press is far from hate. Even the comments personally directed at me by one person, in my opinion, aren't hateful. They have grown to be annoying but I've learned now to dismiss it. We don't have to all like one another and that is what gives the debate substance. I learn from those who appear not to like me and I welcome the sometimes not-so-kind dialogue. Sacramento Press is a valuable tool to become a contributor by offering personal insight and a forum to learn and grow.

Mark Twain wrote, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, all foes to true understanding. Likewise tolerance, or broad, wholesome charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by bigoting in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

I read the articles and comments on Sacramento Press to leave my little corner of the earth and learn to see and hear others. I know I need to travel outside my comfort zone to go beyond seeing so much prejudice, ignorance, bigotry and narrow mindedness.

I'm reading the comments to learn more about the city of Sacramento and its people. I read Sacramento Press comments so I won't be like our mayor and surround myself with people who only tell me what I want to hear or what they feel I want or need to know.

If I solely relied on media propaganda from political hired help I would have suffocated by their divide and conquer tactics of using prejudice, ignorance and narrow mindedness as a tool. I wish more who are oppressed would read the Sacramento Press articles, post comments and vent.

By venting, through writing, I was able to breathe through so much confusion, pain and anger. I once felt suffocated and angry but in writing I've learned to remain in the spirit of love and not foster hate.

I learned to overcome the hate caused by reading so many untruthful political propaganda news stories. I learned to have a voice by reading the comments of many who let their voices be heard. I learned to speak out by being embraced by those not experiencing the same pain as I but still experiencing pain.

I've learned to see the pain of others. I've learned by seeing others speak out about subjects which interest or affect them. I learned to look for the passion even if the comment or person making the comment is attempting to attack me. I've learned a great deal from readers of Sacramento Press and I look forward to learning even more.

If I relied on manipulative media releases or sway-public-opinion articles from our mayor and if I had not met so many writers within SN&R, SacBee, Because People Matter, Sacramento Observer, bloggers like JoeSacramento and writers within Sacramento Press, it's possible I would harbor anger.

And now reading comments from Sacramento Press readers such as Marion, bbbmer, Burg and others it's like the icing on the cake, it's like gravy over the meat, it's such a good feeling to see so much community involvement, insight and passion. On Sacramento Press you get a buffet of food for thought. On Sacramento Press you go beyond eating for a day and learning to eat for a lifetime.

In the words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." And for goodness sake I see those small groups of committed citizens such as Marion Millin, William Burg, bbbbmer, fifthgensacramentan and others responding on Sacramento Press.

I attended the last two Sacramento Press workshops and I want to say thank you, Sacramento Press, for not only giving a man a fish to eat for a day but thank you, Sacramento Press and those who comment, for teaching more how to fish so we can eat for a lifetime.

The workshops are great. The people are great. The forum is great. So, to answer Steve Maviglio's question -- no, Sacramento Press is not fostering hate. It appears hate is fostered by a mayor who is not accountable and the political propaganda press releases. But fortunately hate can be overcome by Sacramento Press offering a voice for those without political hidden agendas and not swayed by special interest or greed.

Every now and then someone may criticize, argue or debate with a hostile tone but when it happened to me it didn't foster hate it actally gave me the ability to both look at myself and look at them. I learned some people are not really interested in the subject and can be a distraction as they redirect the focus and attention towards you. But I learned personal attacks can give us the ability to learn and to grow in understanding.

Any fight worth fighting is worth being criticized, sometimes attacked, and often disagreed with. I don't expect everyone to agree with me or my opinion. I don't expect to agree with everyone. But on Sacramento Press our similarities (passion) outweighs our differences of opinion.

On Sacramento Press I've learned not just the content of the material written but how it is written -- the force behind it. I've learned so many are fighting. I've learned how to make the pen mightier than the sword.

I'm learning we can disagree and not foster hate. I've learned if you're afraid of being wounded perhaps you should not come near the battle. I've learned hate is deep-rooted and not on the surface of a simple post. I've learned their is always one who will fight individuals rather than a cause.

Most importantly I've learned "Give a man a fish he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime."

Thank you to the readers of Sacramento Press who post articles and comments for the lessons I am learning and the hope I am receiving which will go beyond the moment -- but hope for a lifetime.

Thank you Sacramento Press for doing what it appears our mayor and his special assistants have failed to do and that is disarm hate by giving the community a voice. Sacramento Press and those who comment provide an all you can eat buffet of food for thought.

Rhonda Erwin

Mayor Johnson - Driving Under the Influence

2009-10-21T05:19:52Z

'People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives." -- Theodore Roosevelt --

I would love to give Mayor Kevin Johnson the benefit of the doubt and call him a leader. But as time goes by, I see less of a leader and more of a driver.

Heck, with lessons, anyone can drive. With a GPS navigation system of special assistants, a campaign manager, volunteers and a spokesperson it certainly may appear the mayor is leading the way. But even with GPS and a car full of backseat drivers, people have gotten lost.

A GPS navigation system can't prepare Johnson for traffic conditions, debris left in city streets or points of interest that are of concern to residents.

Will the "strong mayor" initiative drive us down a one-way street against traffic, causing a collision? Will we want to be a passenger if the "driver" suddenly begins to drive recklessly or appears intoxicated (full of himself) and is driving under the influence of deceit and trickery? Will we want to be on the road with someone under the influence of special interest?

Should we stand by while the mayor, who could have a suspended license, suddenly begins to drive exceeding speed limits to get to a strong mayor proposal?

Drivers who are not leaders don't always reach their destination. Mayor Johnson appears simply to follow drivers of other cities. He doesn't appear to be a mayor leading the way. We've heard Fresno has the strong mayor charter, Oakland has the strong mayor charter. Many residents in Fresno and Oakland have become hit-and-run victims because of the strong mayor charter as the mayors driving their cities overlook and run down the cities' underprivileged residents.

If Mayor Johnson were driving in the open and giving residents a map with clear directions on the strong mayor proposal before blindly gathering signatures, perhaps he could renew his license without taking another drivers course. If Mayor Johnson showed respect, consideration and courtesy and valued the cars, bikes and pedestrians on and near the road and called community meetings before the proposal was written in stone and before the proposal was taken to the City Council for a vote, perhaps we wouldn't drive now with so many calling out for speed bumps because of unsafe drivers masquerading as leaders.

Our mayor is a driver who appears not to value community input. The strong mayor proposal does not reflect the desires of the community. The strong mayor proposal reflects the desires of the mayor and outside influences. The community was of no value to the mayor until signatures were requested by hit-and-run signature collectors who carried no insurance. Many, if not all, of the paid signature gatherers I spoke with had no knowledge of the petition for which they were gathering signatures.

Traffic control is called out in the form of a Charter Review Commission. After a comprehensive study that listened to drivers, pedestrians and motorists of other cities, it was determined that the strong mayor proposal could be hazardous and cause slippery roads and unsafe driving conditions. But the mayor appears to drive the proposal by any means necessary, through thunders of confusion, rains of deceit and the thick fog of trickery. Now we are left with a measure that CalTrans cannot revise. The strong mayor proposal is written in stone.

Mayor Johnson appears to drive without insurance. Residents have asked but have not been told what specifically he can do with the strong mayor charter that he could not do with the current form of city government. Perhaps we wouldn't mind him going slightly over the speed limit if we knew where he was going. Perhaps we wouldn't call our council members to complain of high speed traffic racing through our neighborhoods to get to a strong mayor proposal, if we had a leader working in the open.

Perhaps if the mayor would appear as a leader and not a boss who simply is following drivers of other cities we wouldn't have to call our representatives and request that the mayor pump his breaks, slow down or get his car (strong mayor proposal) towed for driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving and causing so much road rage.

Community members are no longer riding blindfolded with the drivers elected into office. There's been too much propaganda and too many promises that have fallen to the curbside or become road-kill once the politicians' self-absorbed goal is reached.

Sacramento's mayor can drive but can he lead? After all, he is a political adolescent behind the wheel. Motorists cannot dismiss the fact that Mayor Johnson has had some fender benders, causing a collision or two with St. Hope, loaning SAG $25,000 in June without notifying our insurance broker- Eileen M. Teichert, city attorney that he forgave the loan and made it a gift. Mayor Johnson has been known to hit and run and contact his collision specialist attorney to make the problems go away. A mayor without full coverage insurance and no past experience with driving should not expect the public to rush into traffic for a strong mayor proposal.

It seems Sacramento roads are beginning to fill with curves, bumps and debris. The community is expected to trust the mayor not just on highways but now on the freeway as he takes off on a high-speed chase to a strong mayor proposal. We have no idea what the destination is and don't really trust some of his passengers. After all we haven't been told what he can do as a strong mayor that he cannot do under the current charter and we haven't been told if he picked up hitch-hikers or who exactly went along for the ride.

Our view is obstructed as we are told, "People who don't want the strong mayor form of government are afraid of change." Some of us are afraid of collisions by a mayor driving without insurance.

Our mayor appears to disregard others on the road as he races by the council members who we voted into office. The mayor did not consult with experienced drivers, some of whom have lead their districts; he did not value their input. Our mayor appears to disregard pedestrians and did not consult city residents to listen to their desires, or allow them to voice their concerns and offer their input in changing the city's charter. Those opposing the mayor are not consulted to see if there is a charter suitable for the vast majority of residents. It appears that the mayor requests that residents vote "yes" on the strong mayor proposal blindly, in the dark, and without lights or reflectors.

Yes, the mayor will drive with passengers, as he rode with arts liaison Sharon Gerber, to assist with bringing arts to Sacramento. He can be a boss. But he doesn't appear to have the drive to ride in the carpool lane with the community.

As a resident of Sacramento I would not wear a blindfold while a person with no driver training gets behind the wheel and starts racing down the city's streets. I do like Mayor Johnson's energy. I do like the fact that he can charm a crowd. He can be a good boss. But he is new to city government and passed a written test but has not quite passed his driving test nor received his driver's education certificate.

I would like to give the mayor the benefit of the doubt and call him a leader. But right now I see him as a boss. Perhaps I've become frustrated with so many of the drivers whom we elected to drive on our roads. Now the roads have become congested with heavy and dangerous traffic, causing accidents. Now I, too, have road rage.

Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: I am a community member looking for a leader who works in the open, not a boss working in secrecy. I am looking for a leader who leads, not a boss who drives with so many intoxicated passengers and backseat drivers.

Beauty is only skin deep.

2009-10-20T01:48:35Z

I've read comments about efforts to revive Sacramento's downtown area. I will admit the comments are impressive. I've read comments about the mayor wanting to bring life to Sacramento. I would love for Sacramento to grow into a big beautiful city. But far too often, elected officials in Sacramento view beauty as skin deep- when ugly is to the bone.

How can you build or put a structure on a weak and deteriorated foundation? Sacramento officials address issues on the surface. It appears elected officials do just enough to paint a pretty picture. Below the surface are the ills of the poor.

Sacramento appears to address homelessness on the surface, shifting people from one area to another. We have to do more than create or develop efforts to make a city appear beautiful.

"Get rid of the bums," someone suggests. But where should we shift them? Sacramento officials have a history of shifting their problems verses significantly addressing them. Sacramento continuously addressed youth violence with efforts of suppresion verses empowerment, opportunity, employment and resources. Sacramento officials appear to address complex problems with simple solutions of suppression and shifting the problem into another area.

Moving the homeless from one area to another will only allow them to remain homeless. Providing them opportunity, employment, empowerment and resources will allow them to become stable. In addressing crime Sacramento officials rely on multi-jurisdictional task force to evict/ move people from the city of Sacramento into the County of Sacramento. I attended a neighborhood meeting and the POP officer said, "Call us, we'll get them evicted and out your neighborhood." I sat in disbelief wondering will you just continue to move them from one house to another, one street to the next, one neighborhood to another, from the County of Sacramento to the City of Sacramento?

Both city and county law enforcement shifts crime by shifting people. People are moved around like mice in a maze. Both city and county elected officials often fail to recognize law enforcement is a deterrent and not a solution. Both city counsel and county supervisors should look beyond the surface and build a foundation to empower the low income residents. Developers can build outer beauty but it takes the efforts of the elected representatives of this city to build and construct inner beauty.

When looking for solutions into Sacramento's homeless problem we can take lessons from the actions, inactions and reactions of how Sacramento officials addressed youth violence. Sacramento, receiving government subsidy funding, has concentrated on saturating areas with multiple low income housing. But fails to contribute funding to place resources within those areas to empower the residents and allow the area to thrive.

We can not simply build low income housing and saturate the neighborhoods with low income residents and not provide opportunities, employment and resources to empower residents. We can not simply shift people from complex to complex, area to area, community to community without laying a foundation of empowerment.

We can't put makeup on the city and call it a day. We can't keep putting botox on issues. We have to go beyond the skin and to the bone to address the ills within our society. The ugly truth is that until we address issues below the surface, all the efforts to revive Sacramento will be in vain. You can't build on a foundation that is ready to crumble. The building will fall and land on the people sleeping nearby. I remember when 19-year old Eric was shot and killed in front of downtown Macy's. It was ugly but after the body was removed, we were back to appearing beautiful--business as usual.

Our mayor attempts to look at "buildings' and city charters of other cities. But what about the people, the poor of those cities? What do we do with the people who are not privileged to wake up with a "Things to do" list, but are underprivileged and awaken to the nightmare of "Battles to Fight" list? What about the ugly reality of the plight of the poor?

How effective is it to revitalize a community's appearance if you don't revive the people? It's like giving life support to the dead. Don't get me wrong. I love the suggestions to revive Sacramento. I can't wait to live in a city that has inner and outer beauty. I only wish we had a mayor who would address the needs of Sacramento's poor as well and as comprehensively as he attempts to address the outer beauty.

If the people living within the community lack resources and opportunities, beauty won't help the city. It seems easy for elected officals to address the beauty. And since the ugly-the suffering, the homelessness, violence...is far too difficult for some elected officials to significantly address they simply address it on the surface- simply shifting people and making things appear beautiful.

We cannot address complex problems with simple solutions or simple-minded officials. Until we address the ugly aspects of our city -- the poor and those affected by violence -- the efforts to revitalize Sacramento will be in vain. Why would we dress a mannequin when real people need the clothing? We all want the same thing: a Sacramento to be proud of. We all want a Sacramento that is safe, where our children can live and play. My concern is, will the efforts be in vain if we simply address the surface beauty and once again ignore the below-the-surface ugly? Should we continue to throw good money after bad money? Mayor Kevin Jonson appears to address the beauty and leave the ugly to fester. By doing so, a division among Sacramento residents begins to widen. I'm not trying to offend. I'm trying to show the ugly in hopes a foundation can be laid for beauty to thrive. I don't want to argue. We really do want the same thing I just want to go deeper- below the surface.

Sacramento will shift people, shift crime, shift pain and address concerns on the surface. But below the surface there is a need to effectively and comprehensively address the plight of Sacramento's poorest residents. Simply finding safe grounds for homeless individuals to move to, is sadly comical, it's like simply putting a pacificer in Maggie Simpson's mouth and allow Bart Simpson to continue to run around and cause havoc. It's simply covering Maggie's mouth and ignoring Maggie's cries of still being without a home. Simply finding safe gounds may be a job well begun, but the job is far from completed.

I was invited to attend a neighborhood association meeting outside my neighborhood. The area received a Weed and Seed Grant. Sacramento used the Weed and Seed grant to shift people out of one area into another area. The Weed and Seed grant is a community-based strategy sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice to "weed out' violent crime and drugs and plant "seed" with human services, including evening programs for youth, after school programs, family activities, and a variety of neighborhood improvement efforts.

Unfortunately, Sacramento officials saw their way to a grant-writer and saw money and not people. They attempted to expand law enforcement and not create a foundation to empower others at-risk of committing violent or drug crimes. Three things occured: 1) grant funding went towards massive suppression and not the needy 2) additional neighborhoods would become in need of the grant funding since it simply moved people from one area to another and failed to plant resources 3) the violence became a cancerous polyp spreading throughout other areas.

Sacramento cannot simply look at what other cities are doing to address homelesness. Especially since Sacramento looked at other cities who received a Weed and Seed grant and failed to duplicate the seeding aspects of the grant. It is concerning when Sacramento officials appear to look at money and not at the people. It is concerning when significant efforts were developed, using a multi-jurisdictional task force, to 'weed' out the people and minimal efforts were made to plant seeds of empowerment. A grant designed in beauty -- weed out and PLANT seeds of empowerment to address violence-- was redirected into another ugly money-making scheme to enhance a department.

Many of us want to see the beauty. Many of us want to see the city revived. Many of us want to see night life and entertainment. But unfortunately so many of us have to live with the ugly. We can't run from it. We can't hide it and all the revitalization efforts won't erase it. So we ask that the city address it. Address the ugly and then let us work together on the beauty.

The ugly truth is often times officials are blinded by money and fail to actually see the people in need. The ugly truth is we can't address homelessness in the same fashion as we have addressed violence by simply shifting people and moving them from one area to another area. The ugly truth is so often the needy are overshadowed by the greedy.

Someone once said it best, 'Beauty is only skin deep, ugly is to the bone."

Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: A low income resident living within a community divided into victims and suspects. I am transparent: I am not against the mayor. I am against the "strong mayor" proposal as it is written and against elected officials' minimual efforts towards addressing the ugly -- the plight of Sacramento's poor. I am exhausted watching what so many will do for the love of money - and not the love of people. I am exhausted watching so many look to enhance their departments or advance their carreers off the plight of the poor.

OUR CRIES ECHO FROM ONE SACRAMENTO NEIGHBORHOOD TO ANOTHER- Part One

2009-10-13T22:38:25Z

"Please don't make me do it. Please don't make me see him covered in dirt." I trembled as I heard Debbie's cries.

Tears flowed down her face as her husband picked her up and carried her to the grave site. Debbie fought with all her heart not to see a casket holding her 17 year-old son Robert laid in the ground.

"You have to do this Debbie, you can do this," her husband said. I watched a mother praying to take her breath and give it to her child. She laid over his casket wanting him to breathe. It was painful.

For months I would see Debbie with a blanket lying on the ground where Robert took his last breath. I watched her go to the murder site and place a little white gate the size of a coffin where his body had lain.

She put photos of Robert’s smiling face all around the memorial and then she laid there sobbing.

A crew would remove her memorial and she'd go back and set it up again until she was told she could no longer set it up.

Debbie told me, "I moved here (to Meadowview from Oak Park) so he would live. I wanted him to be safe. There was too much violence in our old neighborhood". She cried, blaming herself. I held her and told her, "It's not your fault. The violence is everywhere we can afford to live".

I stood where 17 year-old LaMarr was shot and killed. LaMarr's body laid covered in a tarp in the middle of the afternoon.

He was shot and killed in the middle of a busy street. Teenagers walking from a nearby high school gathered and stood sobbing. There were no grief counselors.

In fact, during this time a Harry Potter film was being shown at theaters. I watched the news and saw grief counselors were sent so moviegoers wouldn't be traumatized when a lead fictional character died. I went to the county supervisors time and time again asking, “Where are our grief counselors?"

I never saw grief counselors at the sites where youth were dying -- where real humans laid dead -- gunshot wounds in the chest, back, head, neck.

Streets would fill with friends and families of the victims holding vigils.

At LaMarr's candlelight vigil, I looked over and saw Debbie. I went to hug her and she held me so tight and cried, "I didn't know him. But I had to come. I know how I felt at Robert's vigil and I wanted to support the family."

A mother whose son was murdered goes to the vigil of another murdered child and relives her pain over and over.

We lit a candle and said a prayer. I recall leaving Robert's memorial and going next to one for 18-year-old Shaneel. Shaneel and Robert were shot and killed a day apart.

Two families stood in vigil over the site where their loved ones took their last breath. It never surprised me to see the family of a murder victim in tears, supporting another murder victim’s family.

For a while after Shaneel died, someone in his family would hang a sheet on a pole near where he died. I would see youth standing there at the site. One boy would just stand and talk as if waiting for Shaneel to reply.

I spoke to the family of 19-year-old Derek. His sister held her younger brother as he lay dying in her arms. He looked up at her and his last words embedded in her memory are, "Please don't leave me. Please don't leave me."

She held him with his blood covering her shirt, screaming, “Where are they? Where are the paramedics?”

She cried, "No, Don't you leave me. I told you I won't leave you. Don't you leave me," as he took his last breath. I didn't know Derek. He died and I was two blocks away at another funeral. His family gave me a picture of him with members of his family in appreciation to a stranger who showed them love in the midst of so much pain.

I loved Jack with all my heart. He was a 16-year-old neighborhood youth with a smile like Denzel Washington. I was taking my son to the Folsom Outlets to buy a winter coat and Jack asked to ride along. When we got to the outlet store I pulled my son aside and told him, "I can buy you this one coat which costs a little more or I can buy two jackets, one for you and one for your friend Jack."

My son said, "I'll take the cheaper one. He doesn't have a coat." The boys wore the coats home, looking like twins, with smiles as radiant as can be.

I began planning a march and rally to bring awareness to the violence. Jack looked at me and said, "No one cares." I told him, "People do care. I'll show you just how much. I'll show you the pen is mightier than the sword."

I began writing of all the deaths. Jack smiled every time he came to the house and saw me busy at work. He said, "You are going to show me, aren't you?"

On March 11, Jack came to the house saying Dontehad been shot and killed that afternoon in an apartment complexthat was supposed to have a police substation.

The following day, Jack came to the house and said, "Deantwean was shot and killed. He was with a friend and he was shot, too."

The following day another 18 year old was shot in the head. By the grace of God, he survived. I wrote letters and e-mails, speaking of the deaths mounting in a community divided into victims and suspects.

I was on a Regional Transit bus about to go home. The street was filled with commotion. Youth were standing on both sides of the street. I asked the bus driver to stop.

I ran to the scene and heard: “It’s Jack. They shot Jack.” 18-year-old Jack lay at a mini-mall, gunshot wounds to the chest.

I held his 15-year-old friend, whose shirt was covered with Jack's blood. The ambulance drove away. I waited for the 15 year old's mother to arrive, then drove with a girl at the scene, to the hospital.

I ran to the registration counter and gave Jack's name. I was asked, “Are you family?" I said "Yes." They took me aside and said, "I'm sorry he didn't make it.”

Jack died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I felt ill. Youth are not life-flighted to area hospitals. There were two hospitals close to where Jack was shot but he was taken by ambulance across town to the medical center, where he was dead on arrival.

I begin to wonder if Jack was closer to the truth than I. Does anyone care? Our children are dying. Families are mourning. People are suffering. Our cries echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another.

I sat at David's funeral. Shortly after the funeral began, a petite woman walked to the microphone, hands trembling, and said softly, "I need this funeral to go as quickly as possible. I just buried his brother."

Her movements were so slow and painful. It appeared as though pain carried her. David's brother Damon was murdered less than two years earlier. Their mother then began to tell the people in attendance, “David was a good boy.”

A mother whose son was dead wanted people to know her son was a good boy.

I went for a walk early one morning and gazed down. Printed on the sidewalk were the words, "Here lays my 2 brothers Anthony and Albert shot and killed, They dead. They with God now."

My mind drifted to the family of 18-year-old Gregory and 20-year-old Hudson, two other brothers shot and killed, dying minutes apart. Another family having to bury two of their children in Sacramento, the city of Trees. A city with so many distractions that youth death and youth arrest always seem to get overshadowed with yet another agenda.

I spoke with 21-year-old Wesley’s father. He was in great pain: "I wanted my son to live"

Wesley’s body laid covered in blood on a grassy area in an apartment complex. There are two painful sides to a youth violence crisis: Families are mourning the loss of their beloved child -- dead. Families are mourning the loss of their child sentenced to live and die in a California state prison -- the walking dead.

In every violent death, the suspect was another youth. One dead on our streets and another walking dead in prison. I saw so many in a psychological frozen state.

Bodies found in dumpsters, gutters, middle of streets, schools basketball courts, fast food restaurants, gas stations, shopping malls, in their homes, outside their homes, on their front porch, running to make it home, North Sacramento, South Sacramento, East Sacramento and West Sacramento. I looked for a safe haven but there was none.

A Florin Honor Roll student, 15-year-old Shavtavia, was shot and killed as she left a graduation party. Phillip, 16, was shot and killed outside a birthday party. Three others were shot and survived, including a 14-year-old

Jelisa, 16, was shot and killed outside a house party. Donte, 16, was shot and killed.The body of 16-year-old Durey laid dead in the middle of the street. The body of 17-year-old Bobby was found behind the bushes. The family of 21-year-old Adrian awoke to a nightmare. Right outside their door, their son lay in their front yard.

Can you imagine opening the door to see your child dead and know they were running home to you, to safety?

Lenny, 13, stood with friends on a Sacramento street. Boom.He was shot and killed as his friends watched in horror.

Arturu, 11, was shot in the head. He lived but is blind. Curtis was another teen with a beautiful smile. At age 15, he was shot and survived. Curtis worked so hard at job skills classes and showed his life skills certificates to his grandfather. Just when Curtis was beginning to think of a future, he was shot again. He died at age 16. I will never forget his eyes. He would smile at me and his eyes would sparkle.

I received a call from Ralph. His 18-year-old son, Ralph Jr., had been shot and killed. "I had to go to the morgue to view my son's body. Eighteen bullets, bullets even in his groin."

A father cried as he spoke to me -- a stranger -- just wanting to talk to someone about the pain and suffering.

I went to the city of Sacramento seeking a Youth Death Review Team to save the lives of Sacramento's sons and daughters. But my efforts on behalf of the Youth Death Review Team were in vain. But I continue to labor through the pain.

I went to Donald's funeral. His mother, Toni, came and spoke at a rally I held. Toni was so proud of her son Donald. Can you imagine walking into the bathroom to find your son lying in a tub filled of blood? She can not get the memory out her mind.

The church was filled to capacity for Donald’s funeral. I attended the car wash by which his family, as so many others, are reduced to focusing on their inadequacies -- the fact they can’t afford to bury their child.

Can you imagine wanting and getting a job to buy nice things for your child only to have a job and not be able to afford to bury that child?

Natasha and her younger children were tied up. She will never forget the sound of the gunshot that took her son's life. When I look into Natasha's eyes, they are always teary and swollen in pain.

I can't imagine being tied up, wanting to help my son but not being able to break free, hearing him being shot, knowing that he died while I was in the next room.

Someone knocked on Debbie's door. Her son James answered it. Debbie was awakened by gunshots. She ran to her front door to find her 18-year-old son, James, dying in his younger brother's arms.

Debbie and Natasha have come to youth violence meetings seeking youth violence prevention.

I received a call from Carla. She cried, 'Rhonda, do you know what it's like to answer the phone and your sister tells you come over, your son is dying, shot dead"

Carlos is dead. I stayed on the phone for an hour and listened to her cries.

At 19-year-old Tyesha's funeral, her grandfather stood and said, "This is not a funeral. Tyesha is a Christian. She knows God. It's her homegoing."

And then the family asked for prayer for the youth who took their beautiful daughter's life.

Shirley has attended countless youth violence meetings. She has stood and addressed city officials in the midst of her own pain. At her son Michael's funeral I held a youth who was 19. When you look into his eyes you see the memories of death.

He spoke softly, "I've been to 20 funerals." A boy has been to more funerals than the number of years he's been alive. All this in the city of Sacramento, the city of trees, where it appears life and freedom are blowing in the wind. At every funeral, the church, hall, wake and cemetery are filled to capacity.

Often, youth lined up along the sidewalk because the church was overcrowded. Sometimes I'd see some familiar faces that I saw at other funerals and more often than not I saw a few hundred faces I hadn't seen before. The deaths affect so many people, so much pain.

It has been painful to write of Sacramento's sons and daughters who died a premature death as a result of youth violence in a city that appears to have other priorities, priorities that overshadow life and freedom.

Our mayor's priority is a "strong mayor" proposal. I don't share his enthusiasm on changing the charter of Sacramento. I'm far too busy wanting to change the tide of deaths as families cry rivers of tears, and drown in seas of neglect and oceans of pain.

I couldn't get the city to fund a Youth Death Review Team. But I've learned when the mayor wants a strong mayor proposal we quickly have a strong mayor Charter Commission formed.

Can you imagine how painful it is to walk for five years in the valley of the shadow of death and be right where you started seeking a Youth Death Review Team? I've walked in a circle. I must again plead with another Mayor for Sacramento youth to have life and know freedom.

The mayor looks in one direction -- suppression -- and looks to those who want more funding to saturate communities with armed patrol. I haven't met a family yet whose child has been murdered who has not preferred prevention over suppression.

When you’ve seen so much pain, witnessed so much suffering, you can not be pacified with minimal efforts. Watching the mayor’s Youth/Gang summit was painful. A community suffering was pacified with a quick fix. Heck, it wasn’t even masqueraded as a fix.

Can you imagine the pain of seeing the mayor put a band-aid on a fracture and call it a day? Can you understand the anger of seeing yet another minimal effort that duplicates the efforts made year in and year out?

Can you imagine being in pain and seeing the crisis and tragedy in your community swept under a rug?

Can you imagine suffocating in misery, your pain blanketed until budget hearings are scheduled and a police union official says, “We need more money. If we get less we’ll do less." You and others are working with so much less and wanting to do so much more. Can you imagine seeing so many others being paid and the funding never quite reaches the community directly affected and exposed to the violence?

I used to be embarrassed that I was low income. At youth violence meetings I would wait until everyone had left before I walked out. I didn’t want them to see me walking home as they were driving away in their nice cars. I am no longer embarrassed. Being a resident of the low income community I learned to love unconditionally. Equally important I learned many of us are loved conditionally-- when and if funding is available.

Once I walked home from a youth violence meeting in the dark and the rain, but I didn’t feel rain drops falling on my head. I felt a steady flow of tears because I walked to the meeting with high hopes and sat through constant disappointment, learning it wasn’t even about us, it was all about money.

The truth is we need more resources and we are not getting them because in the city of Sacramento life and freedom takes a backseat to political games of greed and deceit. A community is divided by morgues, cemeteries, funerals, vigils, courts and prisons.

On this painful journey, I‘ve seen much love in the midst of so much sorrow. I've also stood at meetings and seen people focus on money and not on our pain and our deaths. I've seen the heartless and I've been embraced by the loving.

I stood in front of the mayor on Tuesday and he appeared to look right through me. It's painful. But I've labored for now five years without pay going to countless city hall, county supervisor, community town hall meetings, summits, workshops, funerals, vigils and car washes to bury the dead and I watched so many make everyone and everything else priority.

It seems crime does pay. A whole lot of folks are getting funding and we die. Poverty pimps circle over our dead as vultures trying to get funding for our crisis. And then we have elected officials who use the crisis, stating, "Public safety is our number one priority." But there are few doves of peace and many vultures. Public Safety is a priority for politicians to get into office and no longer a priority once in office.

Our children are dying. As I sat in City Hall attending a Charter Review Commission hearing, tears came to my eyes as I prayed perhaps one day we'll sit here for a Youth Death Prevention Commission. Tears came to my eyes as I realized I walked in a circle to again plead with a Sacramento Mayor to hear our cries and significantly address our suffering.

I've prayed that one day I'll sit in a meeting that willaddress our pain and suffering. But I won't hold my breath. I might just end up like so many more -- breathless.

Our cries continue to echo from one Sacramento neighborhood to another. Wherever we can afford to live.

Rhonda Erwin

Community Activist / Mother living in a community divided into youth victims and youth suspects