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Busy week at Sweetwater school district
BTW, I see on the "Transparent California" website that Greg Sandoval is already collecting $32,165.60 in 2013 from CalPERS from the San Diego County Education...presumably for his 'service' on the SUHSD Board of Trustees. Surely that pension should be modified, along with appropriate adjustments to his STRS pension!— September 6, 2014 11:43 a.m.
Busy week at Sweetwater school district
Three questions come to mind: 1) what is Ed Brand's role and/or payoff from the E2ManageTech deal? 2) what is the status of Greg Sandoval's CalSTRS pension? According to the story about Gandara, he lost the STRS pension he would have accrued beginning when he committed the wrongdoings. Sandoval resigned his position as VP of Student Services at Moreno Valley Community College but has been in the STRS system for about 30 years...I am wondering if he too will lose some of the pension benefits that accrued after he committed the crimes. 3) why on earth does Marc Lichman think that he (Plan9Partners) is an appropriate sponsor of a forum for school board candidates? Does that imply that the Plan 9 Partners, and/or the so-called 'trust' that holds the titles, will be doing any endorsing of candidates? I don't think that such a forum is appropriate or ethical, and smacks of the kind of arrogance that surrounds all these real estate schemes. Why does he get to say what is the best use of the L Street Property that is PUBLIC property (anyone know of any public hearing to declare it surplus?) and not his to dispose of!— September 6, 2014 11:05 a.m.
Sweetwater cash cow improperly milked
I think it is McCann's decided lack of substance that makes him such an attractive candidate for David Malcolm and his ilk to support. Malcolm tends to gravitate to those who are easy puppets for his marionette strings. Look at how he groomed Shirley Horton, who was such easy prey she was actually afraid to speak in public! As you point out, eastlaker, it has nothing to do with political decency or even identifying the better candidate. That bunch supports those who are easy to influence and manipulate for not-so-savory purposes down the line.— September 4, 2014 4:27 p.m.
Sweetwater cash cow improperly milked
Ms Neylon certainly sounds as if she is intellectually challenged. As a member of the County Board of Education, representing the South County, she should have at least learned some of the basic fundamentals of school finance. Money that comes to the school district from the state, unless it is restricted to some specific category (called categorical funding) can go into the general fund. The general fund is the money that the school board allocates via an annual budgeting process: so much for this, and so much for that. There are certain guidelines about requirements for so much (percentage) in reserve for 'emergencies', and certain guidelines restrict the money raised from Mello Roos property taxes....but in general, the general fund is for 'everything else' and the board has great latitude in how it is allocated. Their responsibility is to make sure that there is sufficient funding for maintenance of district properties, supplies for students, teacher and support staff salaries, etc. It seems to me that it is simple logic that if money has been put into one 'pot' as ms. Neylon says, that unless it is categorical funding or restricted to some special purpose, it may be MOVED into another more appropriate pot if needed there! Just because Fast Eddy or his buddies have said it must stay in the original account is not necessarily the truth and is quite likely part of the shell game. Do some homework, Ms. Neylon! You are going to have to be a great deal sharper (less gullible) than it appears if you expect to be re-elected to the County Board of Education when your term is up.— September 4, 2014 10:18 a.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
Perhaps the League of Women Voters will come to rescue the forums and sponsor, as they have in the past, a non-political venue for candidates for local office. They are excellent non-partisan referees! I smell several big rats in the VoSD proposal, perhaps they are an unwitting tool of the silent partners who would seek to influence the process. As for the Mayor however, as someone pointed out, she is good friends with everyone pictured at the top of this story. It's all about the backscratch!— August 27, 2014 4:37 p.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
Above posts are all on target. Why were the mayor of Chula Vista, and the Voice of San Diego, asleep for so many YEARS when they could have done much to help expose the perfidy! NOW they come to the table and want to 'educate' us as to what has been going on for such a long time! I agree that there is substantial self-interest at work here...in the mayor's case as has been outlined above; and for the Voice of San Diego, seems they are seeking more 'members' (a polite way to say financial support.) Perhaps now that the hard work of 'exposing' the scandal is already done, the VOSD thinks they can use their so-called 'forums' to further market their memberships. I am surprised they know how to find South County, and it does not surprise me that they appear to believe the entire SUHSD contiguous with Chula Vista!— August 27, 2014 3:52 p.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
I, for one, choose to vote for public 'servants' who have other visible means of support, as governmental representatives. To me, what one does as an occupation OTHER than a political or government/social service job indicates some level of accomplishment, as well as a broader perspective on the business of the government agency. Their business knowledge, whatever it might be, would enrich the conversation on the dais and the quality of decisions made. In my opinion, such candidates are also less vulnerable to the lure of back-room deals to enrich their own pockets! That is precisely why I will always avoid voting for the likes of John McCann or Jim Cartmill, neither of whom seem to have reliable employment histories and who seem to gravitate to the public trough as a primary means of support for themselves, and their families.— August 26, 2014 12:16 p.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
It is no accident that David/Annie Malcolm, SDG&E, Duke Energy are all listed as 'partners' on the South Bay Community Services web page....because Shirley Horton is the highly-paid so-called director of community relations and development for that organization that siphons hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars each year from our public coffers....the Sweetwater District, City of Chula Vista, City of National City, County of San Diego, etc., in addition to big government grants. While the work of SBCS might be noble, lots of people in the top ranks make lots of money -- the director gets nearly $200,000 per year. It must be nice to be so well connected. What is the old saying, " Scratch my back"...??? This gang must give each other back scratchers for Christmas!— August 26, 2014 10:02 a.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
Yes bbq....and we get the best government we can elect only if the electorate is informed and bothers to go to the polls. The Kak's (as you describe them above) count on the fact that only a few of the electorate care enough to do the due diligence that is so necessary. That plus their deep pockets and ability to influence those like McCann and Cartmill who are easily influenced by those deep pockets and the lure of the public trough. They are not necessarily altruistic, however, because they get their deep pockets through political connections and back-room deals. That is how David Malcolm got caught ....indicted, and convicted while a so-called public servant at the Port District. Wonder how he got that position? He maneuvered with his pals on the CV City Council to remove the person who held that appointment, one Robert Penner, in the middle of his term and appoint David instead! That is how powerful those connections are. One good thing in the coming SuhSD elections is the shift to area seats, giving smaller individual community areas the right to elect their own representative. At large elections have perpetuated the apparent indifference of the electorate...the new format will, one hopes, bring the candidates and issues back closer to the neighborhoods they are, one hopes again, to serve.— August 25, 2014 12:22 p.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
yes eastlaker....looks like you and erupting have connected some very important dots!— August 25, 2014 9:42 a.m.