Posts Archive

Oct 24, 2009 | 0 Comments

Neiman Marcus deserves your support in Walnut Creek

Vote yes on Measure I.
by Don Blubaugh
For weeks, I have contemplated how best to write about the Walnut Creek flap over Neiman Marcus coming to town. I have a vested interest. I live here and worked hard during my tenure as city manager to help shape the future of Walnut Creek.
There are many avenues to [...]

Oct 20, 2009 | 0 Comments

Reform Fever!

In short, people are fed up.
by Clint Reilly
Before the progressive movement swept through California in the early 20th century, there was a growing sense throughout the state that Sacramento had ceased working for regular Californians.
Shackled by special interests and rife with corruption, the capitol had become a playground for corporate lobbyists who exerted unfettered control [...]

Sep 11, 2009 | 0 Comments

Politics as it should be

In praise of civility.
by Don Blubaugh
I was riveted to the television recently watching the events of Ted Kennedy’s death and all that followed leading to his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Three things struck me about the events. First was the outpouring of love from his family members. It is easy in the world of politics [...]

Aug 11, 2009 | 0 Comments

March on Sacramento

It’s time to fix California.
by Clint Reilly
Rome is burning. But this time, the reformers aren’t fiddling.The CCC – California Constitutional Convention – can’t happen soon enough.
The alarming spectacle of our state capitol going up in smoke has moved the Bay Area Council – a Northern California group of business leaders led by its savvy executive, [...]

Jul 25, 2009 | 1 Comment

Newspapers Aren’t Dead

Technology is just changing the rules.
by Toby Brink
For the past few years, bloggers, TV reporters, industry analysts and even some newspaper people themselves have argued that daily newspapers are dead.
There are several reasons why this is not the case.
Those that predict newspapers’ demise cite dwindling subscription rates, dramatic cuts to editorial staff and coverage, and [...]

Jul 21, 2009 | 0 Comments

Culture of Capitol-ism

In order to transform a dying institution, the old, corrupt culture must be rooted out and eliminated.
by Clint Reilly
Sacramento is not just a big small town or the capital of America’s biggest state. It is also a symbol of governmental gridlock and dysfunction, the political version of General Motors or Lehman Brothers.
But unlike GM or [...]

Jul 18, 2009 | 0 Comments

Changing California government will not be easy

The tough road ahead.
by Don Blubaugh
Much has been written over the past several months of the governor and state Legislature’s inability to adopt a state budget. Their low approval ratings continue to decline. California is hard to govern because of the state’s diversity.
Finding a consensus choice of action on the budget and fixing what’s broke [...]

Jun 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

Disrespecting our Elders

Why would the state of California actually want to save money?
by Clint Reilly
John F. Kennedy once said that the strength and durability of a society can be judged by how it treats its elderly.
Proving his point more than four decades later, the careening state of California is considering cutting off vital in-home services to thousands [...]

Jun 27, 2009 | 0 Comments

When is enough, enough?

It’s time to get involved and stop the violence in Oakland.
by Jayson Landeza

When I look at the some of the tragic events of this past month, I am struck by the increasing level of violence and depravity that we are witnessing in the East Bay.
On May 11, Iva Rene Lett, a 97-year-old resident of Oakland’s [...]

Jun 23, 2009 | 0 Comments

BUSTED

In short, it’s not a good time to be in California if you’re young. Or old. Or poor. Or sick.
by Clint Reilly
It is said that a hard-core drug addict needs to hit “rock bottom” before recovery is possible.
Life must become so hellish and circumstances so dire that they have no choice but to accept reality [...]