Melissa Corker comment-75883 2012-11-16T00:03:14Z 2012-11-16T00:03:14Z I believe the county can give vote counts by precinct- but it might be a little while before such a report is available. Melissa Corker 2012-11-16T00:03:14Z Melissa Corker comment-75819 2012-11-14T04:54:56Z 2012-11-14T04:54:56Z Even my almost 18-yr old son is in on Movember. Excellent! Melissa Corker 2012-11-14T04:54:56Z Melissa Corker comment-75587 2012-11-07T15:02:37Z 2012-11-07T15:02:37Z Excellent coverage, friends. I'm proud of your hard work. Melissa Corker 2012-11-07T15:02:37Z Melissa Corker comment-75024 2012-10-22T19:21:09Z 2012-10-22T19:21:09Z Goyette will do an excellent job moderating, and having Foon Rhee and Brandon Darnell in the mix will definitely make this a valuable and informative debate. (I'm not Doubtful in the least!) Melissa Corker 2012-10-22T19:21:09Z Melissa Corker comment-73610 2012-09-17T20:56:02Z 2012-09-17T20:56:02Z That's kind of you to say, Mark. I know Jared and the crew at Sac Press are going to keep the ship afloat bringing the best to our communities. Jared is right, though: YOU and do many others play an active role in helping get the news out... Keep it up! Melissa Corker 2012-09-17T20:56:02Z Melissa Corker comment-73609 2012-09-17T20:53:14Z 2012-09-17T20:53:14Z You too, Chris. I know you'll be keeping your eye on North Sac for us! I look forward to seeing more of your contributions and comments on Sac Press. Melissa Corker 2012-09-17T20:53:14Z Melissa Corker comment-73608 2012-09-17T20:52:05Z 2012-09-17T20:52:05Z I appreciate the thoughts, although I never want to send the cosmos into a spin. Wait. What? Ah, you understand! :-) Thanks for the kind words. Melissa Corker 2012-09-17T20:52:05Z Melissa Corker comment-73607 2012-09-17T20:50:31Z 2012-09-17T20:50:31Z Thank you, Mark. Melissa Corker 2012-09-17T20:50:31Z Melissa Corker comment-73606 2012-09-17T20:50:02Z 2012-09-17T20:50:02Z Definitely! I'm only a phone call (or a Tweet!) away! Melissa Corker 2012-09-17T20:50:02Z Melissa Corker comment-73369 2012-09-10T23:16:35Z 2012-09-10T23:16:35Z Thank you, Carlos. I'll be keeping an eye out on Sac Press for more of your great photos! They are always such an asset to the articles. Melissa Corker 2012-09-10T23:16:35Z Melissa Corker comment-73368 2012-09-10T23:15:27Z 2012-09-10T23:15:27Z That's what I say! My husband, on the other hand, thinks I just need better hand-eye coordination to successfully navigate the refrigerator. :-) Melissa Corker 2012-09-10T23:15:27Z Melissa Corker comment-72720 2012-08-22T18:20:16Z 2012-08-22T18:20:16Z I thought Brandon Weber did a good job clarifying, but perhaps an even simpler breakdown will help, Squinter: Pre-conference TEDx event, Thurs. Aug 30, 6:30 pm – 8 pm, $10 TEDx Sacramento conference, Fri. Aug. 31, 9 am – 6 pm, $100 Both events will be at the Crocker Art Museum. Hope that helps. Melissa Corker 2012-08-22T18:20:16Z Melissa Corker comment-72718 2012-08-22T18:11:06Z 2012-08-22T18:11:06Z I have embedded the ULI report and included a link to the Urban Land Institute Sacramento website. Hope that helps. Melissa Corker 2012-08-22T18:11:06Z Melissa Corker comment-72680 2012-08-21T22:11:41Z 2012-08-21T22:11:41Z The TEDx event that the article focuses on is an all-day event, 9 am to 6 pm and tickets are $100. The event listed on the Crocker Website is a smaller "salon" event that will happen the day before TEDx – it is a preview of the event that features videos and a couple live performances. The salon/preview event is $10. Melissa Corker 2012-08-21T22:11:41Z Melissa Corker comment-72664 2012-08-21T18:48:39Z 2012-08-21T18:48:39Z The alcohol license transfer is being protested by Vito Sgromo, as noted in a previous Sac Press article. http://sacramentopress.com/headline/72513/Midtown_shooting_death_sparks_response_from_neighbors Mr. Sgromo does not specifically link Harlow's to the murder, rather (as quoted in this article) he said he is protesting the alcohol license because of "increased crime, recently murder, and the over concentration of alcohol licenses" at 28th and 27th and J streets location. Melissa Corker 2012-08-21T18:48:39Z Melissa Corker comment-72490 2012-08-18T14:40:26Z 2012-08-18T14:40:26Z Amanda - I'd like to update the story to reflect the time changes. When you say "go to the search location" do you mean go to the Glendale Lane address? Melissa Corker 2012-08-18T14:40:26Z Melissa Corker comment-72398 2012-08-16T17:54:48Z 2012-08-16T17:54:48Z So, the purpose of the bill was to ban the device that changed "assault weapons" to "non-assault weapons," making it more difficult for gun owners to side-step the California ban on owning "assault weapons," correct? Melissa Corker 2012-08-16T17:54:48Z Melissa Corker comment-72229 2012-08-12T19:27:55Z 2012-08-12T19:27:55Z No offense taken, Marion. You are correct that there are many parking-related stories to touch on, and I certainly try to cover them. Here is the article I wrote about the pilot program you mention: http://sacramentopress.com/headline/68277/Plan_to_restrict_Second_Saturday_street_parking_causes_stir_in_Midtown As more issues arise, I hope you'll let me know so I can be sure to cover them, too! Melissa Corker 2012-08-12T19:27:55Z Melissa Corker comment-72065 2012-08-07T21:58:45Z 2012-08-07T21:58:45Z We made a clarification to the caption of the photo to specify that Reichmuth is located in South Land Park. Melissa Corker 2012-08-07T21:58:45Z Melissa Corker comment-71923 2012-08-03T21:40:51Z 2012-08-03T21:40:51Z Perhaps not, but the budget included the potential from that funding source as a means of balancing the budget – in much the same way it predicts and counts on potential property and sales tax revenue. Not receiving an amount anticipated from any of those sources will have a negative impact on the bottom line. To the people affected by any program cuts that might result, it will likely feel like a "loss" as surely as if money had been stolen from the palm of their hand. Melissa Corker 2012-08-03T21:40:51Z Melissa Corker comment-71624 2012-07-28T18:59:56Z 2012-07-28T18:59:56Z I'm utterly speechless. That playground provided untold hours of fun for me and my children over the years. To see this senseless destruction for destruction sake is painful. I just want to cry. Melissa Corker 2012-07-28T18:59:56Z Melissa Corker comment-71591 2012-07-28T02:03:08Z 2012-07-28T02:03:08Z I would like to see this addition to light rail, too. Melissa Corker 2012-07-28T02:03:08Z Melissa Corker comment-71575 2012-07-27T19:16:03Z 2012-07-27T19:16:03Z Ron Mellon at T9 answers, "That could not be further from the truth." (See above reply for more). Melissa Corker 2012-07-27T19:16:03Z Melissa Corker comment-71574 2012-07-27T19:13:49Z 2012-07-27T19:13:49Z The short answer: 2 years until the first building is completed, 5 years +/- for the entire first phase The long answer: According to Ron Mellon, one of the three principal owner/developers of Township 9, the infrastructure portion of the first phase – roads, curbs, lighting, etc – is nearly complete, and they will break ground on the first "vertical building out of the ground" around November. That will be a 180-unit apartment complex and will take approximately 18 months to complete, Mellon said. The entire first phase of T9 is approx.1,300 units of an expected 2,500 total homes in the T9 master plan. Mellon said they have a 5 year build out plan for the first phase... but it is "market driven," so as there is demand, more will be built. Melissa Corker 2012-07-27T19:13:49Z Melissa Corker comment-71550 2012-07-26T21:22:38Z 2012-07-26T21:22:38Z Pundit- thank you for the comment. The $2.3 million loss was the discovered in a full-department audit, which included the Waters situation. I have rephrased the reference above to clarify that Waters fiasco was not solely responsible for the entire loss. Melissa Corker 2012-07-26T21:22:38Z Melissa Corker comment-70437 2012-07-05T16:40:17Z 2012-07-05T16:40:17Z Thank you for your comment, Doug. According to the City Clerk's office, the position of charter commissioner is unpaid. Melissa Corker 2012-07-05T16:40:17Z Melissa Corker comment-70290 2012-07-02T17:07:38Z 2012-07-02T17:07:38Z Neil, thank you for your comments. Please see my reply above. Melissa Corker 2012-07-02T17:07:38Z Melissa Corker comment-70289 2012-07-02T17:07:00Z 2012-07-02T17:07:00Z Tom, thank you for your comment. To clarify, there is no charge/fee to run for the charter commission. A candidate statement is optional - it is different than the "ballot designation" where a candidate states how he/she wants his/her name and occupation to appear on the ballot. Melissa Corker 2012-07-02T17:07:00Z Melissa Corker comment-70138 2012-06-28T18:45:08Z 2012-06-28T18:45:08Z Thank you for the comments, Tom. I'll look into your question and follow-up. Melissa Corker 2012-06-28T18:45:08Z Melissa Corker comment-69596 2012-06-15T22:54:57Z 2012-06-15T22:54:57Z Patrick, according to the RT map of the Green Line route, the segment extends from the H and Eighth streets station to the Township 9 station. I have corrected both articles to reflect this. My apologies for the confusion. Melissa Corker 2012-06-15T22:54:57Z Melissa Corker comment-69127 2012-06-07T17:00:09Z 2012-06-07T17:00:09Z Actually, Squinter, it was intended to be a very simple recap. A larger discussion of "history, sponsors, POV, occurances, etc." might have been better suited to a pre-event article to entice people to attend and enjoy the event first-hand, or it might have been a great article from a Community Contributor assigned to the cover the event. I hope that next year you will take on that assignment – I'll bet you'd do a great job! Melissa Corker 2012-06-07T17:00:09Z Melissa Corker comment-68993 2012-06-05T19:29:25Z 2012-06-05T19:29:25Z HelloBubba, By your description, you are right on the border of D4 and D5.... If your actual address puts you in D5, you would not have had any City Council candidates on your ballot. Melissa Corker 2012-06-05T19:29:25Z Melissa Corker comment-68802 2012-06-01T04:35:00Z 2012-06-01T04:35:00Z The author thoroughly enjoyed the "hour or so" of discussion with the historian, and regrets having had to edit so much. She forsees a follow-up article in the future to take a closer look at Sacramento's gay community and it's contributions and achievements in the city. (Many thanks, William for your insight.) Melissa Corker 2012-06-01T04:35:00Z Melissa Corker comment-68061 2012-05-18T13:40:58Z 2012-05-18T13:40:58Z 'zactly. (To the moderator's credit, she did correct herself from that moment on.) :-D Melissa Corker 2012-05-18T13:40:58Z Melissa Corker comment-68051 2012-05-18T03:30:18Z 2012-05-18T03:30:18Z Ah, man. Even when I fix it, I'm all thumbs on the keyboard! Just call me Mellisa Korcer from now on. :-) Melissa Corker 2012-05-18T03:30:18Z Melissa Corker comment-68046 2012-05-18T02:11:14Z 2012-05-18T02:11:14Z My stars!! I'll correct immediately, Issac. Melissa Corker 2012-05-18T02:11:14Z Melissa Corker comment-67810 2012-05-14T04:47:37Z 2012-05-14T04:47:37Z We hired the Busy Bus (video game version) for my son's 15th birthday – he and his friends LOVED it. Dave was incredible! He set everything up, kept nearby to make sure all went smoothly, and the kids had a great time. Great re-use of a city bus. Melissa Corker 2012-05-14T04:47:37Z Melissa Corker comment-67753 2012-05-11T23:53:51Z 2012-05-11T23:53:51Z Thank you, Squinter. A forum preview article is available here: http://sacramentopress.com/headline/67673/Candidates_prepare_to_face_off_in_forum_Saturday But, to summarize: All questions are selected in advance. There will not be opportunity for audience-driven questions at the forum. The panel of moderators will be members of the media, however, other than myself, I do not know who else is scheduled to be on the panels. The event will be at the County Administration Building, 700 I St. It begins at 9 a.m. The public – voters, residents and interested persons alike – are invited to attend, however there is limited seating in the Board of Supervisors Chamber where the candidates will be speaking. The event will be televised on Metro Cable Channel 14, and replayed after the event on Metro Cable. Check their listings for additional showings. I'm sorry I do not know the exact format – timing, rebuttals, opening/closing statement allotments, etc. I hope you are able to attend or watch on Channel 14, though! Melissa Corker 2012-05-11T23:53:51Z Melissa Corker comment-67564 2012-05-08T20:23:46Z 2012-05-08T20:23:46Z Mr. Hilbert-Garcia failed to qualify for the ballot initially, so he he is taking steps to be a write-in candidate. Read about it here: http://sacramentopress.com/headline/66955/Edgar_Garcia_returns_as_writein_candidate_for_mayor Melissa Corker 2012-05-08T20:23:46Z Melissa Corker comment-67552 2012-05-08T16:12:42Z 2012-05-08T16:12:42Z Rhonda, there are definitely many crime-related/law enforcement-related questions for the candidates to address. Can you give me the one "top" question you'd like to have asked on the subject? Melissa Corker 2012-05-08T16:12:42Z Melissa Corker comment-67542 2012-05-08T05:39:31Z 2012-05-08T05:39:31Z Flood control is a big issue in our area, particularly for Natomas, Tom. It's definitely something the Council and Mayor will need to have on their radar if funding opportuities for levee repair are pushed forward in Congress. Great question! Melissa Corker 2012-05-08T05:39:31Z Melissa Corker comment-67516 2012-05-08T03:24:30Z 2012-05-08T03:24:30Z Thank you, evak – questions about candidates' affinity for the people they represent – not just the city itself – can be telling. I would opine that it's not just buildings, parks and events that make a city what it is, but the "personality" of the people, overall, that bear on a city's 'atmosphere' (for lack of a better term). Melissa Corker 2012-05-08T03:24:30Z Melissa Corker comment-67515 2012-05-08T03:21:56Z 2012-05-08T03:21:56Z Great question, Izzy! Especially since the forum is on the eve of Mother's Day. Thank you for the suggestion. Melissa Corker 2012-05-08T03:21:56Z Melissa Corker comment-67194 2012-04-30T19:45:44Z 2012-04-30T19:45:44Z It looks like the City Manager's office is actually being cut by more than $400K. Finance Director Leyne Milstein said this today, regarding the City Manager's office budget numbers: "The overall reduction in the Manager’s Office budget is $423,450. (Of that amount), $129,839 is associated with the elimination on 1 FTE [full-time-equivalent position] to achieve General Fund savings." The rest of that budget reduction, Milstein said, comes from moving 3 more positions out of the City Manager's office and into other areas with different budgets. The 1 eliminated position is a current vacancy and not a "person-out-the-door' layoff, Milstein said. Melissa Corker 2012-04-30T19:45:44Z Melissa Corker comment-67155 2012-04-30T16:05:11Z 2012-04-30T16:05:11Z I'm looking into this question, and will get more information posted on it as soon as I can. Melissa Corker 2012-04-30T16:05:11Z Melissa Corker comment-67113 2012-04-28T13:27:36Z 2012-04-28T13:27:36Z I am a writer, yet I don't have adequate words to express my gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with you. I do, however, have the words to say I'm sorry for all those Tuesday nights... I often forget that not everyone sits at the edge of their seats with me over council votes! You are a beautiful person, inside and out, and The Sacramento Press has been lucky to have you for as long as they did. Now, it's (not "its") time for you to take your own brand of wonderful to other mountaintops and share your gifts and talents with others. Lucy, lucky them to receive you. All the best to you, deer. (yeah, that's what I wrote...) Melissa Corker 2012-04-28T13:27:36Z Melissa Corker comment-66740 2012-04-19T03:30:29Z 2012-04-19T03:30:29Z Just a question, Rhonda – I really do not have all the information. Was the second victim in this incident a known gang member? I only ask because I am curious if the second victim is not discussed much because of his alleged role in the shooting. I don't mean to imply that his death is any less significant to (clearly, he is mourned by his friends and family and mother), but perhaps the focus is not on his death because he played an active role in the incident, whereas the young mother who was slain was not an active participant? I know you are one who analyzes these situations very carefully – that is why I ask you the question. Melissa Corker 2012-04-19T03:30:29Z Melissa Corker comment-66725 2012-04-18T21:09:35Z 2012-04-18T21:09:35Z Bill, thank you for your comments. "NAG" is in the title of the article, and in the headline on the front page. It may not appear in the headline on the Politics page due to space constraints, though. As for the tags, I have added both "NAG" and "Neighborhood Advisory Group" to the list. Melissa Corker 2012-04-18T21:09:35Z Melissa Corker comment-66387 2012-04-13T13:55:10Z 2012-04-13T13:55:10Z I didn't realize there is actually a law on the books to deal with this situation. I always believed that the person who does the breaking up surrenders the ring. If he breaks it off, she keeps the ring (as a consolation prize? That doesn't sound quite right, does it?). But if she breaks it off, she gives back the ring – as a polite gesture of good will, if nothing else. I suppose, however, there are circumstances (as the law states) where it might not be "just" to return the ring... if, say, the engagement had been especially long, or the reasons for breaking up were especially severe. To ask for the ring back after a year or more would seem almost petty. I guess you can say that, not only is marriage not easy – it would seem that engagements an be perilous, too. Melissa Corker 2012-04-13T13:55:10Z Melissa Corker comment-65969 2012-04-03T23:00:08Z 2012-04-03T23:00:08Z This is yet another reason to love local theater: everyone can play a part. Congratulations to the kids – all of them – for having the guts to give it a try and the brainpower to spin such delicious tales! Melissa Corker 2012-04-03T23:00:08Z Melissa Corker comment-65843 2012-03-30T22:45:11Z 2012-03-30T22:45:11Z I, too, fall into the category of high-hopes-low-funds... and I'm at peace with that. I could have bought a small latte with my $2 but I opted for 'hope' instead. (Sorry Brandon, I didn't have the $176 million to go all out...) If my hope should see me through to a large windfall, I'd be happy to make a donation to whatever cause you think is most worthy, Mark. (Along with the other causes already have on my list). It's the least a new gazillionaire should do. :-) Melissa Corker 2012-03-30T22:45:11Z Melissa Corker comment-65708 2012-03-29T20:06:53Z 2012-03-29T20:06:53Z I was honored to be your guest. Melissa Corker 2012-03-29T20:06:53Z Melissa Corker comment-65700 2012-03-29T18:09:48Z 2012-03-29T18:09:48Z According to Jim Combs, director of Parks and Rec Dept, rose garden event rentals have been about $5,000 to $7,000 annually (the amount has declined along with use of the garden, thanks to it's disrepair in recent years). That number, according to Friends of East Sacramento, is far below the annual maintenance and operation costs. They do not appear to be in a position to make a profit on the deal. The agreement does talk about what will happen if the revenue from event rental exceeds the operating and maintenance costs: the money must directly benefit McKinley Park and its related facilities. Events at the rose garden have typically been weddings, family gatherings and photo sessions. The city rented out blocks of time for specific use of the garden, typically 2 to 3 hours at a time, and generally on weekends. The agreement does not specify which events will or will not be allowed, only that the leasing group cannot discriminate in it's rental decisions. This has been the case when the city controlled the garden, and there is no reason to believe the parameters for renting the garden would change, other than, perhaps, pricing. Melissa Corker 2012-03-29T18:09:48Z Melissa Corker comment-65699 2012-03-29T18:01:08Z 2012-03-29T18:01:08Z The rose garden remains a city-owned property and the terms of the lease agreement state that the garden will remain accessible to the public except for when the garden has been rented out. This has been the case before the city and the Friends of East Sac went into this new agreement - it is not a new circumstance. Trespassers and vandals are not specifically addressed in the agreement, but it is likely they will be handled as they have always been: by police on a case-by-case basis. Damage caused by vandals will likely be handled by the group maintaining the garden, as has been the case before. When the city is in charge of maintenance, they are in charge of repairing damage. Now, the Friends of East Sac will take on that responsibility at the rose garden. Melissa Corker 2012-03-29T18:01:08Z Melissa Corker comment-65697 2012-03-29T17:43:51Z 2012-03-29T17:43:51Z There are rental fees charged for use of the rose garden for events, weddings, etc. The group would control those fees (income/revenue) - but that does not mean the group is no longer "nonprofit." The profits would all be returned to the operation and maintenance of the rose garden, per the lease agreement. The profits would not go into the group's own coffers. Melissa Corker 2012-03-29T17:43:51Z Melissa Corker comment-65416 2012-03-24T05:27:38Z 2012-03-24T05:27:38Z Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to covering that event for our readers! Melissa Corker 2012-03-24T05:27:38Z Melissa Corker comment-65328 2012-03-22T14:24:26Z 2012-03-22T14:24:26Z I really enjoy reading your sports coverage, Mark. Keep it up, man. You may even win over a football fan like me to really get into basketball, too. Melissa Corker 2012-03-22T14:24:26Z Melissa Corker comment-65283 2012-03-21T04:15:53Z 2012-03-21T04:15:53Z I just love this article! Alkali Flat is one of my favorite parts of Sacramento – I adore the historic homes and the character they add to each street in the neighborhood. Great job, Krissy. Melissa Corker 2012-03-21T04:15:53Z Melissa Corker comment-65206 2012-03-19T22:18:57Z 2012-03-19T22:18:57Z This looks like SO much fun – and, for a former "band geek" like me, a great opportunity to dust off the 'ol flute and join in! Melissa Corker 2012-03-19T22:18:57Z Melissa Corker comment-65087 2012-03-16T13:51:49Z 2012-03-16T13:51:49Z LandParkRes: Thank you for your comment. This article was accurate at the time it was written, and subsequently Ellsworth did not qualify. A follow-up article on all City Council elections posted yesterday includes new information. Melissa Corker 2012-03-16T13:51:49Z Melissa Corker comment-64855 2012-03-10T06:09:09Z 2012-03-10T06:09:09Z Thanks Cogmeyer. :-) Melissa Corker 2012-03-10T06:09:09Z Melissa Corker comment-64809 2012-03-09T13:55:24Z 2012-03-09T13:55:24Z Davi, thank you for your comments. Medical marijuana, states rights, federal law - all of these are certainly topics for lively discussion and I'm glad we have a forum for that discussion on The Sacramento Press. Melissa Corker 2012-03-09T13:55:24Z Melissa Corker comment-64810 2012-03-09T13:18:24Z 2012-03-09T13:18:24Z Yes, that should be Thursday also because the city clerk's office is closed on Fridays in Sacramento. Other cities in the county that have clerk's offices open on Fridays, however, still have a Friday deadline. Melissa Corker 2012-03-09T13:18:24Z Melissa Corker comment-64739 2012-03-08T02:16:01Z 2012-03-08T02:16:01Z That's a great shot. Your timing was great. Melissa Corker 2012-03-08T02:16:01Z Melissa Corker comment-64724 2012-03-07T20:52:22Z 2012-03-07T20:52:22Z I aaaaalmost went with that for my title, Tony. Almost. Melissa Corker 2012-03-07T20:52:22Z Melissa Corker comment-64611 2012-03-05T07:42:15Z 2012-03-05T07:42:15Z Steve, thank you for your comments on this article. I appreciate your contribution to the conversation and encourage others to join in for a healthy dialogue. At the same time, I want to assure you of two things: I have spent time trying out BIAP -both in a car and on my motorcycle... and, as a journalist who values her integrity, I do not "shill" for the City, or anyone else. Melissa Corker 2012-03-05T07:42:15Z Melissa Corker comment-64422 2012-03-01T23:01:50Z 2012-03-01T23:01:50Z I'm not convinced that after a woman has her first C-section that all subsequent births – especially 13 years later – "usually" are C-sections. Forgive me, but it seems like more of a convenience for the mom and doctor, considering how far back they scheduled it, and not knowing if the mother might have gone full-term to the typical 40 weeks – or perhaps, might not have needed a C-section at all. It is disingenuous to present the birth on Leap Day as anything close to 'coincidental' or a conscious choice to support a policy directed at preventing elective deliveries. Having a baby on any day is a wonderful event, and that is worth celebrating for it's own sake. Melissa Corker 2012-03-01T23:01:50Z Melissa Corker comment-64032 2012-02-22T15:49:54Z 2012-02-22T15:49:54Z The mayor said he expects the term sheet to be available by Thursday, a few days ahead of the Feb 28 council meeting. It has to pass through a few hands first, including city manager office and city attorney office then to city clerk office to be posted for the public. Still, Johnson seemed confident at the presser that Thursday would be the day. We'll see. Melissa Corker 2012-02-22T15:49:54Z Melissa Corker comment-64028 2012-02-22T15:45:28Z 2012-02-22T15:45:28Z Great article, Ellie. Melissa Corker 2012-02-22T15:45:28Z Melissa Corker comment-63980 2012-02-21T16:41:37Z 2012-02-21T16:41:37Z Correction: The act does not zone dispensaries 1000 ft from residences, as that would likely be nowhere. It is 1,000 ft. from schools, playgrounds, and youth oriented facilities in accordance with Federal statutes related to drug free zones. Thank you for clarifying that, Mr. Martin Melissa Corker 2012-02-21T16:41:37Z Melissa Corker comment-63867 2012-02-18T05:20:02Z 2012-02-18T05:20:02Z Lisa, thank you for your comment. The June election is the primary election -a regularly scheduled election. The charter review question is not slated for the June election, rather for the November (general) election. In every election cycle there are both primary and general elections. In the city contests for offices such as mayor and city council, if a candidate for office wins 50 percent plus 1 of the vote, they win the seat. If no candidate takes that majority, there is a "run-off" contest between the top two vote-getters. For contests that are measures or initiatives, no run-off opportunity is necessary. The measure either passes or fails. I hope that helps answer your question. -Melisss Melissa Corker 2012-02-18T05:20:02Z Melissa Corker comment-63805 2012-02-15T23:46:40Z 2012-02-15T23:46:40Z YouWantWhat – You are absolutely correct. There is an opportunity for the people to say "no" to the initial question on the ballot of "Do you want an elected charter review commission?" In fact, voters will have to answer that first. On the same ballot will be X-number of candidates for the 15 open slots on an elected commission, just in case the majority votes "yes" to the question. Regardless of the results of the first question, it looks like we will still be in for a circus of campaigning and special interest "propaganda" before all is said and done. I'm not saying the SMI proposal is better or worse (or that there are no costs associated with it as compared to an elected charter commission). I'm definitely not saying that a rejection of an elected charter review commission would equate to "complete vindication" of the last three+ years of SMI effort. An elected charter review commission could do many things: Overhaul the charter. Tweak the charter. Leave the charter untouched. Or, they could very well – on their own – come up with precisely the same framework that was the final incarnation of SMI on Feb 7. In any of those cases, (a) messy election leading up to it, (b) potential for 'stacked' commission, (c) unknown result, (d) costs associated with two years of effort. Melissa Corker 2012-02-15T23:46:40Z Melissa Corker comment-63709 2012-02-14T21:00:19Z 2012-02-14T21:00:19Z Jay, thank you for that clarification. I incorrectly added Mrs. Rudin to the list of "endorsements" of the SMI, however – as you have correctly pointed out, she does not endorse SMI, rather she supports putting the measure on the ballot for a public vote. Melissa Corker 2012-02-14T21:00:19Z Melissa Corker comment-63679 2012-02-14T14:03:32Z 2012-02-14T14:03:32Z FifthGen, thank you for your comment. Yes, I did look at the NTMP process – I read the website information (including the Community Action Request form), reviewed the NTMP project listings dating back to roughly 1992, and spoke to the project manager for this project to get not only a broader view of the NTMP process in general, but a view of how the process was applied to this project in particular. The poll questions were intended to gauge opinion of what folks felt might be the preferred priority method for determining traffic-calming measures in a neighborhood. This was based on the input of Alkali Flat residents – Laura Lough being one of many – who indicated strongly that they preferred not just a "yes-or-no" ballot but a direct poll of the neighbors involved. A poll, by the way, is NOT one of the methods stated in the NTMP process for determining traffic-calming measures. Melissa Corker 2012-02-14T14:03:32Z Melissa Corker comment-63677 2012-02-14T13:08:50Z 2012-02-14T13:08:50Z Congratulations, one and all! And thank you for being a huge part of what makes The Sacramento Press what it is. Melissa Corker 2012-02-14T13:08:50Z Melissa Corker comment-63595 2012-02-11T17:33:57Z 2012-02-11T17:33:57Z Brian: On the city website, it appears connections to RT and airport are Phase 3 items. There doesn't seem to be a completion date estimate, other than "after phase 2 is completed and pending secured funding." Melissa Corker 2012-02-11T17:33:57Z Melissa Corker comment-63594 2012-02-11T17:21:46Z 2012-02-11T17:21:46Z Cogmeyer: Yes, the event was open to the pubic. Typically press conferences are public, but I don't know how widely publicized this event was. Melissa Corker 2012-02-11T17:21:46Z Melissa Corker comment-63446 2012-02-08T07:38:51Z 2012-02-08T07:38:51Z Correction: Ashby, Cohn, Schenirer and Johnson voted IN FAVOR of putting the strong mayor initiative on the November ballot. They did not vote "no." I apologize for the error. Melissa Corker 2012-02-08T07:38:51Z Melissa Corker comment-63403 2012-02-07T21:32:15Z 2012-02-07T21:32:15Z Natalie, thank you for your comment. The improvement area is Woodlake. While the focus of the article was the improvements themselves, I think Mrs. Barkers comments were more about getting improvements done where they are most needed, regardless the neighborhood. It is interesting to note that – in many places in Sacramento city and county – a single boulevard often travels through numerous neighborhoods. The reputation of one neighborhood is not always carried on that boulevard to the next. Thanks again, Melissa Melissa Corker 2012-02-07T21:32:15Z Melissa Corker comment-62608 2012-01-23T01:48:52Z 2012-01-23T01:48:52Z FifthGen – Thank you for your comment. I am aware of those discount programs (during my time as an unpaid intern in the Capitol, I was grateful for them because they saved this 'starving student' a lot of money). Although the article was focused specifically on parking validation, the answer would be the same for all of the other programs that the city currently offers with its parking: if it's not part of an "existing agreement," per Dangberg, it is negotiable during lease contract discussions with potential lessees – which, at this point is still a ways away. It is good to bring all of these aspects up, as Tony said. We may not be able to predict the final outcome, but we let those in a decision-making position know that the decisions ARE being carefully scrutinized. Melissa Corker 2012-01-23T01:48:52Z Melissa Corker comment-62539 2012-01-20T19:18:06Z 2012-01-20T19:18:06Z You're too kind. Thank you for listening! Melissa Corker 2012-01-20T19:18:06Z Melissa Corker comment-62515 2012-01-19T21:39:30Z 2012-01-19T21:39:30Z Hi, Mike. I spoke with Assistant City Manager John Dangberg. He said the city has received 25 "intent notices" in response to the RFQ's. Additionally, Dangberg's office has compiled a list of questions that have been asked by parties interested in the RFQ's – 49 questions to date – on a wide range of details about the parking inventory. The list can be found on the city's website here: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/arena/parkingassets.html Dangberg said his office plans to keep updating the list throughout the process. Melissa Corker 2012-01-19T21:39:30Z Melissa Corker comment-62487 2012-01-19T04:38:06Z 2012-01-19T04:38:06Z Double D'oh! "Jay McCarty?" That one sneaked in quietly. My apologies. Melissa Corker 2012-01-19T04:38:06Z Melissa Corker comment-62486 2012-01-19T04:34:40Z 2012-01-19T04:34:40Z D'oh! Melissa Corker 2012-01-19T04:34:40Z Melissa Corker comment-62119 2012-01-11T18:03:14Z 2012-01-11T18:03:14Z Egad! How did that number get in there?! Delta Shores is an 800-acre project. Thanks for catching that. Melissa Corker 2012-01-11T18:03:14Z Melissa Corker comment-61987 2012-01-07T04:17:09Z 2012-01-07T04:17:09Z Aw, man! This makes me sad... and angry... and frustrated. Tiller is a craftsman – nay, an artist. It's a shame that opportunistic thieves stole from him, probably just to fence the tools and make a quick buck. Meanwhile, Tiller cannot continue to create his artful pieces. I hope someone out there sends a good lead to the police. Melissa Corker 2012-01-07T04:17:09Z Melissa Corker comment-61983 2012-01-06T23:42:24Z 2012-01-06T23:42:24Z Wow! I'd like to see the results of your Rorschach tests, Cogmeyer! I didn't make that connection in the photo. Of course, it could also mean that Mrs. Ashby has the world at her feet... Or that she's a larger-than-life personality... Or that there are bigger things on the horizon for her... We shall see, eh? Melissa Corker 2012-01-06T23:42:24Z Melissa Corker comment-61831 2012-01-03T16:06:18Z 2012-01-03T16:06:18Z Sharp eye, Tony! It was inadvertently posted ahead of schedule for about two hours and then taken down to be posted correctly today. Melissa Corker 2012-01-03T16:06:18Z Melissa Corker comment-61799 2012-01-01T22:43:16Z 2012-01-01T22:43:16Z Yes, PW – Edgar Hilbert Garcia is the former candidate's name. In an interview with The Sacramento Press he said he uses both last names, together and independently of each other. Referring to him as "Hilbert Garcia" or "Hilbert" or "Garcia" would be accurate, but I should have used all three names in the first reference. My apologies. Melissa Corker 2012-01-01T22:43:16Z Melissa Corker comment-61727 2011-12-28T22:32:02Z 2011-12-28T22:32:02Z I am the mother of an Aspergers kid and I appreciated this article. It is important to keep in mind that, although Aspergers may look like ADD or ADHD on the surface, it has significant differences that need to be considered. Medication is not always the answer – and in the case of medical marijuana, i would say it is most definitely not the answer. That is an opinion, yes, so I'll own it as such. Melissa Corker 2011-12-28T22:32:02Z Melissa Corker comment-61655 2011-12-26T14:14:14Z 2011-12-26T14:14:14Z My apologies, Fifthgen... I'm sure Mr. Bruce and all the guys at the station appreciate the clarification. thank you for pointing it out! Melissa Corker 2011-12-26T14:14:14Z Melissa Corker comment-61424 2011-12-16T18:40:22Z 2011-12-16T18:40:22Z Pas probleme, PW. Patience can be a pleasing and positive pacifier – particularly for people passionate about public project prospects. :-D Melissa Corker 2011-12-16T18:40:22Z Melissa Corker comment-61359 2011-12-15T02:28:45Z 2011-12-15T02:28:45Z Essentially, it's a fancy word for "trading future revenue for cash now." If the city "monetizes" it's parking system, it leases the facilities to a private operator and trades all of the revenue the parking system is expected to earn over the life of the lease for an up-front, lump sum payment. The city currently gets approximately $9 million per year from it's parking system. Instead of saving up that $9 million each year for about 27 years to finally have a $250 million bucket of cash, the city could "monetize" the parking system and get that $250 million from the lessee right now... Of course, as commenters are pointing out, there are some wrinkles in such a plan that the city would need to iron out – starting with a $54 million bond debt that would have to be paid off at the get-go, thanks to tax rules. And, there is the ongoing discussion of the actual amount of any lump sum yet-to-be-received: How much would it really be? Optimists might say one number, while pessimists might say another, but in the end the bottom line is simply, "too soon to tell," according to Kunal Merchant. Melissa Corker 2011-12-15T02:28:45Z Melissa Corker comment-61354 2011-12-14T22:00:11Z 2011-12-14T22:00:11Z What a perfectly pleasing possibility, PW! Melissa Corker 2011-12-14T22:00:11Z Melissa Corker comment-61334 2011-12-14T18:30:46Z 2011-12-14T18:30:46Z I'd really hoped the "healthy discussion" from this article would have been about the issue and not the title. Melissa Corker 2011-12-14T18:30:46Z Melissa Corker comment-61325 2011-12-14T16:46:22Z 2011-12-14T16:46:22Z I agree, Isaac – the title could be better. As you know, article titles can indeed be a little "off," for example, not indicating in the title that an opinion piece in a news format is opinion. I believe that, in reading the article, people will understand what happened last night – and that there will be healthy discussion about it. Melissa Corker 2011-12-14T16:46:22Z Melissa Corker comment-61044 2011-12-07T20:47:10Z 2011-12-07T20:47:10Z I graduated from Sac State with a degree in Government Journalism, and I can certainly empathize. For me, trying to plan for and meet all of the requirements of two separate departments was tricky – especially as course offerings started to dwindle. On the other hand, I had two department course lists to depend on when I was desperate for the last few units before graduation, so in some ways I was better off than a lot of my friends who went into full panic mode when class availability grew more and more scarce. Still, budget cuts to the system had a huge impact on my ability to complete my college education in under a decade. If it hadn't been for some very creative department heads who took pity and allowed creative solutions, I might still be in a classroom today! Melissa Corker 2011-12-07T20:47:10Z Melissa Corker comment-60893 2011-12-05T21:31:54Z 2011-12-05T21:31:54Z Those are wonderful gift-giving ideas in these economic times – starving college student or not. An inexpensive yet thoughtful gift will always be appreciated over an expensive one that is given for the sake of appearances. People don't need "stuff" as much as they need to know you care about them. Melissa Corker 2011-12-05T21:31:54Z Melissa Corker comment-60792 2011-12-01T17:30:10Z 2011-12-01T17:30:10Z Congratulations, Marion! With 54 points for last month, you KNOW we'll be more on our toes this month! Thanks to all for helping us keep The Sacramento Press the best place for excellence in journalism. Melissa Corker 2011-12-01T17:30:10Z Melissa Corker comment-60632 2011-11-26T02:11:54Z 2011-11-26T02:11:54Z The first time I went Black Friday shopping, I was lured to a sale at Kohl's for 1,000 thread count sheets for under $50 – I kid you not! The next time, I was bent on getting an iPod for $49... I enjoyed the experience, for the most part. The people I waited in line with (perfect strangers) were all happy to share carafes of coffee and chat about how they were decorating this year and so forth. Last year, however, it was a miserable. The checkout lines were SO long and people seemed especially grumpy. Of course, that could have been ME grumpy about getting up at Oh-Dark-Thirty to fight for $5 footie pajamas at target... Melissa Corker 2011-11-26T02:11:54Z