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Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Why on earth would McCann, or anyone for that matter, put up signs when there is no election going on? Assuming these are his left-over signs from 2010? How is it that he has so much free time, anyway? The transcript of his 'interview' with the Grand Jury has him stating for the record that he works for Sharp Healthcare? I still wonder what he does for a living to support Mrs. McC and the four little McCs...(besides being in the Army Reserves, of course). His bio from 2010 claimed that he was some sort of independent buisness technolgoy consultant...anyone know how that worked out?— June 5, 2013 3:09 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Thanks. I found McCann's testimony in PDF attachment to Ricky Young's story of May 31 titled "Contractor: Gandara took check...." It is Volume 21 of the transcripts, pp 3149-3334. It is unlikely that all of the transcripts are posted on the UT page, however. Those that are do make insteresting, if nauseating, reading. Tales of backstabbing, SUHSD board intrigue, high drama, fitting for angrybirds' soap opera, "As the Slimeballs Twist and Turn".— June 4, 2013 2:11 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Angrybirds: Where does McCann's testimony appear? Does that mean he was also a witness in the Grand Jury investigation of SUHSD corruption? Thanks!— June 4, 2013 12:04 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Lying under oath is perjury.— June 3, 2013 12:32 p.m.
Safety of Sweetwater school district’s buses below par
From Toxic Dirt on playing fields...to cheer coaches that have not been paid what they were promised...to unsafe school busses...to multiple schools on 'improvement needed.... to multi-million $$ sour real estate investments...to dismantled adult ed programs....and all those indictments for perjury, bribery, extortion and etc....to goodness knows what else is lurking behind the curtain. Surely the 'saga of Sweetweater' could be set to a sad ballad. Our kids and community certainly deserve better, we taxpayers deserve and demand better!— May 30, 2013 12:06 p.m.
Safety of Sweetwater school district’s buses below par
Time for Nero, err Ed, to put the fiddle down and PAY ATTENTION TO RUNNING THE SWEETWATER DISTRICT instead of pursuing flim-flam plots and schemes!— May 28, 2013 3:31 p.m.
Sweetwater teachers await funding news
CVRES --- My point is that WE are ultimately responsible for the Board of Trustees. They can only be replaced by recall or by being voted out in a regular election, or by dismissal if they are convicted of a felony. We ought not to be sitting on our hands whining, waiting for God or some nameless authority in the sky to swoop in and remove them from office. We also ought not to expect to shame them into responsible behavior or to change their MO...a crook is a crook is a crook! I did not mean to imply that there is nothing we can do. However, what we should be doing is working to unseat them by whatever means we can. I agree with anniej that we should be doing the hard work and planning NOW to unseat them in coming elections. That does take work, organization,and fund raising. Who will step up into those roles? We should also keep their feet to the fire, as I have advocated previously, by diligently reporting their unlawful actions to the proper authorities. The more 'dings' in their records, the more ammo we will have at election time. "Democracy means responsbility" ....everyone must take part and take responsibility, not just those we elect to run the shop. BBQ has suggested a framework for seeking goals and educational objectives for OUR school district. Even if Ed and CO don't cooperate, as it seems they are not inclined to establish objectives against which they might be evaluated, it will serve as yet more evidence when it comes time to vote. A talented CEO would have already established the goals and plans BBQ envisions, and would embrace the participation of the public in the process. Poor leadership is not necessarily illegal. It is our evaluation of their leadership at the ballot that detertmines who shall lead. The courts will evaluate the alleged /criminal acts and one hopes, act accordingly. I am grateful the DA is involved and that the court seems focused on the case. In the meantime, we need to be focused and realistic about what strategies will invoke the change we seek.— May 25, 2013 12:02 p.m.
Sweetwater teachers await funding news
Kudos to BBQ for identifying what we should expect of the members of the Board, and the person they hire as CEO. Sadly, we have learned that such expectations are fruitless and the Board are do-less and corrupt. However, the law does say that it is the Board's responsbility to set policy and the direction of the public agency they oversee; and to hire a CEO to implement the policy and follow their direction. IF and WHEN the Board fails its primary responsibility (and fail they have) it is up to the electorate to vote them out of office and find replacements who will be diligent and good stewards of the public's trust. The only other hope we have is that those who are indicted will be found guilty of felonies when they come to trial next February...If that happens, those who are convicted felons will have to vacate their positions. We are powerless to MAKE this board do anything they do not want to do. We can report them for Brown Act violations to the FPPC; report criminal activity to the DA; but we cannot MAKE them shape up and do right. That is apparently not in their DNA. VOTE the BUMS out, and pray for convictions.— May 24, 2013 2:11 p.m.
Sweetwater teachers await funding news
Did Ricasa state a reason for her abstention? Technically, no one is supposed to abstain 'just because' they do not want to make a difficult decision. IF she had a legitimate conflict, then she should have stated the conflict and left the dias for the discussion. Perhaps Ricasa felt conflicted because the Governor's plan was for her employer, Southwestern College, to assume responsibility for Adult Eduction. However, her direct employment at Southwestern has nothing to do with Adult or Continuing Education, and as both SUHSD and Southwestern College are public agencies. They do not make 'profits' and Ricasa would not personally benefit EVEN IF the Adult Ed program was moved to the College. (Recent events indicate that there will likely not be a wholesale move of Adult Ed to community colleges, as the legislature is not in agreement with that part of the Governor's plan.) Bottom line, Ricasa ought not to have abstained from that vote.— May 23, 2013 11:37 a.m.
Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
If there is an actual 'agreement' approved by the Board in a official meeting, it must be produced to the public. It should not take a 'request'...However, it may take filing a formal "Public Records Request" with the District if it is not being produced. It was not a closed session agenda item, so they cannot claim that is is privileged.— May 22, 2013 12:32 p.m.