Posted by
Katy Grimes on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 2:21:56 PM
From my Sacramento Union column Friday September 26, 2008:
Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo is fighting for her political life. She is running a depressing political campaign while trying to retain her perk-filled mayoral position. First elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1989 representing District 1, she was re-elected to the council in 1994 and 1998. Fargo was elected mayor in November 2000 and became the city’s first full-time mayor after lobbying aggressively for the November 2002 passage of the City Charter Amendment, Measure S.
Running on her record is not serving Heather Fargo well. Full of contradictions and questions, Fargo’s “record” leaves voters with more questions than answers. However, as Sacramento voters get to know Kevin Johnson through his town hall meetings and 20,000 personal visits to residents’ homes, Fargo is becoming more of a mystery in that “political insider” way. Her public persona façade is cracking, leaving voters to wonder who the real Fargo is. 
Talking to other city voters, the criticism is that instead of answering questions about city business, Fargo panders, condescends, patronizes and evades in-depth answers. As Election Day gets closer, voters seem irritated by Fargo’s seemingly shallow answers, contrasting Johnson’s detailed answers about violent crime, safe streets, schools and the budget, as well as economic development.
What’s so tough about these issues for a 20-year veteran of city politics? Or is it that Heather Fargo thinks that we won’t understand the answers?
A writer friend of mine says, “eight is enough” whenever we talk about Fargo. I believe term limits should have been written into the city charter when Fargo granted herself a full-time position. Until then, perhaps Heather Fargo will start giving voters answers that are lucid and detailed.
Things Left Unanswered
I have had five in-depth interviews with Kevin Johnson. Consequently, I have written much about where he stands on local issues. Given that Fargo’s campaign did not return any of my requests for interviews, or even my phone calls, perhaps she will answer some of the questions that are lingering. (Mayor Fargo, please feel free to email your answers to my editor at Editor@SacUnion.com. We are happy to print your answers in the next edition.)
Question 1
With the sale of the Sheraton Grand Hotel for $130 million to developer David Taylor, the city will see about $50 million in net proceeds after retiring the bonds issued to finance the project. Shouldn’t the proceeds go to the general fund, instead of to more redevelopment, given our $58 million deficit?
Question 2
Regarding the many “traffic calming” projects, are you supportive of “traffic calming” concepts? Why, with our roads in such deplorable condition, are traffic-slowing devices still the priority?
Question 3
One of the mayoral candidates said during the primary election that he’d cut 800 city jobs if he were mayor. Do you feel that the city of Sacramento is over-staffed? What have you done about this or what will you do? How do you plan to reduce the bureaucracies in Sacramento, without a golden handshake?
Question 4
With a $58 million deficit, why continue unnecessary spending on tree research, for example? What gives you confidence that the city will balance its budget?
Question 5
Why the bad blood with Sacramento Police Department? The police officer’s union has gone as far to now endorse your opponent. You said earlier in the year that you wanted to add more police officers to the street and that public safety is a priority for you, but now want to cut the police department budget instead of cutting unnecessary spending or city administrative jobs. What will you do to repair the relationship with city police?
Question 6
Do you feel that Sacramento’s political leadership should start to advocate for a slowing of our regional growth or ignore the issue? Or should they favor ever-increasing population because of the tax revenue?
Mayor Fargo, I await your answers. Many of Sacramento’s residents are small business owners; faithful, dedicated and hard-working employees; we are responsible citizens concerned about the future of our city. We are all waiting for your answers. Believe me—we can handle it.