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Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
I am wondering if Judge Espana follows the votes of the SUHSD board? If there ever was a time to vote wisely - it is certainly NOW! Lessons learned, we shall see. Brand, the puppeteer, any chance the strings of the board have been cut?— February 4, 2014 5:23 p.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
Nickdanny, oskidoll - and it continues After the public forum narrated by Senator Hueso regarding potential new legislation on fire alarms Tom Calhoun was interviewed by J.W. August of Channel 10 - during the interview Mr. Calhoun: - referred to the community members who spoke during the meetings public comment as 'those people' - Calhoun claimed that none of the speakers had children attending SUUHSD schools - a blatant untruth. - he then stated that the film showing a building burning was residential, reporter told him twice 'no it was in fact a school' - when asked by August why he did not contact fire authorities Calhoun stated he had - when Mr. August continued to challenge the claim, Calhoun finally relented and changed his claim. You see that is what is wrong with SUHSD under the leadership of Ed Brand and several of the Board members - they HAVE and CONTINUE to bury the truth. Choosing instead 'cheap spin'. Might I add Mr. Calhoun is also the person handling the PROPOSED new District Office building at a cost of $10 million with improvements that will cost approximately $8 million. Jim Cartmill and John McCann had better be prepared to explain why tours are being taken to view the New digs by District staff, at our expense, using resources we pay for and WITHOUT the purchase being approved. Maybe that is the discrepancy, maybe negotiations have already been done, and we taxpayers are the last to know. Where is Ms. Quinones on this issue? We shall see at the next Board meeting. I have attended several high school games this week and everyone wants to know why Jim Cartmill: - has not lead this Board to meet for a vote regarding the empty Board seat - is appearing to allow the new District office deal without Board approval or taxpayer input. ANSWER: he is marching to the orders of Ed Brand and surely Brand would never sanction a Board meeting that he could not manipulate. Brand is still trying to be a real estate mogul, with our money - remember what L street bought us (potential insolvency)? OH IF BRAND ONLY KNEW WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THEM THINK OF HIM. comments above are simply my opinion (but I am sure shared by many)— February 2, 2014 5:40 p.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
oskidoll - 'what does t take for this judge to be embarrassed?' How about being voted OUT of office? I for one will not forget the name 'Espana'!— February 2, 2014 1:30 p.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
THANK YOU MS. LUZZARO FOR THE FACTUAL REPORTING AND THANK YOU 'READER'!!!!!!!!!!— February 1, 2014 7:07 a.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
Nickdanny - you speak of watching your backs, while I can not speak to any retribution Ms. Kirkwood's has endured I can attest to the fact that this has been a bumpy road for several who attempted to clean up SUHSD - case in point Mr. Payne - being hauled into court over a ridiculous complaint by John McCann claiming he needed a protective order - that cost the taxpayers over 6k (we paid for it) in attorney fees. An accusation against Mr. O'Neill claiming that illegal outdated campaign signs had been taken, again by John McCann. There are others,— February 1, 2014 7:04 a.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
I would like to acknowledge Ms. Carla Kirkwoods efforts. She championed the good fight on behalf of Southwestern s students and taxpayers solely. The 'antagonists' worked as a group and had each other. Words can not express my respect for Ms. Kirkwoods!!!!!!! Guess this story proves one woman can make a difference!!!!!!!!!— January 31, 2014 6:08 p.m.
Patch news lets go of many reporter-editors
It appears we are now being limited to factual news via one source - The READER! What is happening to the South Bay? What is that old saying 'going to hell in a hand basket'. My heart goes out to the employees who worked so hard to keep the community educated on important issues. Some seem more concerned with 'pushing agendas' vs. news that counts.— January 31, 2014 5:51 p.m.
Judge España goes easy on Southwestern College VP
All of the hard work by community members hoping to clean up our school districts and for what? For Judge Espana to slap him on the wrist and send him on his way. Was Jusge Espana not listening to Mr. Alioto's statement? Even then he attempted to defend his actions. We, the community are listening, and what we are hearing is very tragic. My fellow South Bay folks be mindful of elected officials who have failed us. We, the people, need court personnel whose interests are those of the law. Dozens upon dozens of felonies pleaded down to misdemeanors? Why.... Judges are elected, guess I will not be duplicating that vote ever again! Where is Judge Judy when you need her? Do you think she would have EVER agreed to such nonsense. I just watched her give a freakin $5 thousand fine for a dashboard and cracked teeth. We are talking MILLIONS of Bond dollars and what does Alioto get? Court date rescheduled to April after Judge Espana gave ALL attorneys a directive to clear their schedules??????? Who is running the court proceedings, the alleged felons and their attorneys or the Judge?— January 31, 2014 4:38 p.m.
Sweetwater Union and Chula Vista Elementary districts to merge?
As I mentioned in another comment Natl City did a study a few years back on this very issue - what they found was they could not financially afford it. The State most likely would shoot this down on arrival as they would not be interested in bailing out those community dIstricts that do not have the tax base to support their own school district. In any event the idea just might bring the States attention as to what is really going on, where is the money. I would encourage Ms. Salas to contact the State Dept of Ed and the Federal government and ask for a full audit. The books of ALL State and Federal programs must be opened. Putting an end to SUHSd corruption would endear any candidate from any party. Additionally now that we have Hueso's attention write him and ask for the same. I would like to highjack this story and send out a heart felt THANK YOU to the person (whistleblower) who put the spotlight on the SUHSD firealarms issue. This community owes you a debt of appreciation. WHISTLEBLOWERS -Come one , come all - the corruption must end now. Fiscal mismanagement must not be tolerated!— January 31, 2014 1:02 p.m.
Classroom shenanigans in Sweetwater school district?
bvasvasva........ Thank You for posting this information. As I review it I do not see the States involvement. I raise this as a topic due to the following: a few years back National City did a study to review this very topic and evidently found it would be cost prohibitive. Districts deficits would most assuredly be an issue as well as a defined communities ability to sustain their own District due to a lack of a tax base. I have been advised that the State will not sit back and allow a venture like this if there is the real possibility that they (State) will inevitably be left holding the bag. I would hope that Ms. Salas reaches out to the State and Feds and asks that a complete audit be done, including all Federal and State programs as well as the Mello funds. Hopefully she will be able to make contact with the IRS who is auditing Prop O and L street. Were interest earnings made on Prop O properly reported and paid back? On a positive note, I will agree that the fact that finally persons with a title are finally paying attention is a positive. While we can't look in the rear view mirror and talk of coulda, woulda, shoulda - we must now focus on the here and now and the future. Again I say this entire situation has been brought about due to fiscal irresponsibility and poor leadership - the buck stops with the Board and superintendents 'the gandara' and Brand. We could be GREAT again, but those persons who are voting us into insolvency - (certain Board members) and spending/borrowing us into bankruptcy (Brand, Calhoun and Russo) have simply got to go! We CAN NOT ALLOW THE PURCHASE OF A NEW DISTRICT OFFICE TO GO THRU!!!!!!— January 30, 2014 6:04 p.m.