Not much happening in City Hall this week, so we’re just going to talk about wine. Holy f— what the hell is going on down there at City Hall?
Obviously, we lead this week’s podcast with the mini-embezzlement scandal brewing on I Street. Who knew what, when? And also, WTF Lisa Serna-Mayorga? Disneyland?
As embezzlement scandals go, this one isn’t remotely world-class. Still, it’s the best we’ve got. And it’s brought to us by the same folks who did the Americorps fiasco, and this fiasco, and, you know, the other one. So perhaps it’s not surprising that folks get a little carried away with the speculation.
Luckily, we’ve got a bona fide law enforcement professional on board for this episode, to rein us in a bit. Bill Motmans, a retired investigator who did stints with the state Fair Political Practices Commission, and the Sacramento County District Attorney, helps us sift through the rumors and the political wreckage. Bill’s also a Tahoe Park guy, involved in the neighborhood association, and was on that ill-fated Sacramento Redistricting Citizens Advisory Committee. Never forget.
But really he came to talk about the most recent Sacramento County Grand Jury report, which he helped write–because he was a Grand Juror. The Grand Jury’s tale of a wildly dysfunctional Twin Rivers school district was the obvious star of the report. But Motmans thinks other parts of the Grand Jury’s effort–like the detailed account of the city’s bad garbage deal--deserved more and better media attention.
We also talk Bee layoffs, and get an update on the campaign for a Sacramento Charter Commission. A lot of Kevin Johnson’s allies have pulled papers to run for charter commission. But so have a lot of his critics, include some guys named Isaac Gonzalez and Phil Pluckebaum.
Music this week is from Sacramento’s original Star Trek band, The No Kill I, who have graciously put their songs up for free download and use via Creative Commons. What’s a Sacramento Star Trek band? I’m glad you asked…
