Yesterday seems so long ago and it's easy to move onto the next topic without realizing today's newspaper had a story about Pasadena investigating its employees handling of a development deal. ("Firm hired in Heritage Square probe")

I offer two contrasting takes posted on PUSDGreatschools today -- which more than school matters, is something of a vehicle for Pasadena's "opposition movement."

First is a video posted by local political consultant Martin Truitt, excerpted from the denouement of the April 30 council meeting and titled "Bakewell goes Berserk"

Second is a message posted by former Councilman Paul Little, who along with former Councilwoman Joyce Streator, supported Chris Holden's motion to enter into exclusive negotiating rights with The Bakewell Company/Century Housing:

That anyone was hired to “investigate” is a problem for me. Is this the result of pressure from Council or the feeling among some senior staff that Council needs to be assured of their honesty. (I sure hope it’s not the latter… if so we need a new council, not an investigation of staff.)

Whose agenda is being worked with all this “investigation”? I’m thinking there are Council Members who didn’t want to work with Bakewell, but who had no reason to deny him, yet worked “behind the scenes” to gain a different outcome from the staff and weren’t satisfied when that wasn’t forthcoming. The problem isn’t with City staff…

The real concern is how a staff that feels it may be “investigated” every time it makes a recommendation that may not meet the political agenda of some Councilmembers will react. If staff doesn’t feel they have the confidence of the Council, they may very well go someplace they feel they are supported. Then the community is left with the choice of keeping a council that can’t maintain an effective staff or changing the council.

If Council isn’t happy with a staff recommendation, the appropriate response is a “no” vote.

The other thing to remember in this “deal” is that the funds the City used to purchase the property are available to the City only to do exactly those sorts of things, acquire property to reinvigorate blighted areas.

Paul

UPDATED: Presuming Martin is YouTuber PasadenaCA, it seems he has something to say about Councilman Steve Madison in "Steve Madison AWOL":

Posted by Todd at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)

Purloined this pic from what I believe to be Jeremiah Small's blog, Stonehill News. (Turns out it's a Star-News photo by the equally inimitable Walt Mancini which Jeremiah lifted from us.)

Whether you embrace Rene Amy as dedicated reformer or busybody muckraker, his commitment to overturning every stone - and pebble - is consistent.

If we write a story about misdeeds in the Pasadena Unified School District that hasn't already come up in his PUSDGreatschools discussion group, such as spending abuse by employees in the LEARNS program, you can bet he'll be down at Hudson Avenue the next day demanding receipts.

If it gets out that the recently unemployed, previous president of the school board appears mixed up in a barely legal business, Rene is - and was - going down to City Hall bright and early to see if that business is properly licensed. Apparently city staff were unable to find such a license for PDD Consulting: "Deadrick Operating Illegal Business?"

One can dispute the conclusions and criticisms extrapolated from the vigorous dialogue in his PUSDGreatschools discussion group on a subjective basis -- where everything is conclusive evidence of the school district's collective mendacity, villainy, incompetence, greed, cowardice, languor and/or stupidity.

But what infuriates the critic's critics is that he's often right. And that people pay attention -- from City Council and Board of Ed members to parents and reporters. For a school district long operating with a siege mentality, the fact that Rene has a place in our Rolodex is adequate proof of our mission to Destroy Public Education.

If you consider the alternative, where no one aggressively pursues transparency ... I just wish Patrick Leier-era Pomona Unified would have benefitted from 1/10 of a Rene.

You know it's Rene on the phone because the laughter on the other end of the line which begins before you get to "Hello" and continues after you've said "Goodbye." And you know he's likely not laughing at himself.

Posted by Todd at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hey the Foothill Cities Blog headline ("The Proctor is In")was good enough for the Weekly to lift ("Proctor's in at City Hall").

The Noticeable One is begrudgingly settled into St. Louis and has resumed tele-blogging Pasadena at ProctorForMayor.com.

Apparently he has a new preoccupation: http://www.proctorformayor.com/2007/07/06/nevermind-the-bogaards/

Is everyone ready for the experience? I mean, Aaron Proctor & The 11% Experience! My fake band that I wish were real.

This is what my first album, entitled “Nevermind The Bogaards” (Sex Pistols reference for those not inclined) would contain:

1. “Stand & Deliver” (cover of the Adam Ant classic, of course)

2. “I Left My Parking Permit On El Molino”

3. “West Coast Gothy Blather”

4. “Crown City Rockers” (A parody of “Clash City Rockers” by The Clash)

5. “Mr. Touchdown USA” (Victor Gordo tribute)

6. “The Pomona Bloggin’ Blues” [featuring Publius]

7. “Chris Holden (Out For A Hero)”

8. “Affordable House of The Rising Sun”

9. “Murder Bus 187″ [featuring Master P-Little]

10. “Incense & Peppermint Gardens”

11. “I Love You With 11.2% Of My Heart” (Proctor’s Love Theme)

12. “Fly Me To The JPL”

13. “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Green Party” (duet with Koebel)

In stores now! Only three easy payments of $21.99 + shipping and handling!

Posted by Todd at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Now that the taxpaying public of Pasadena are proud owners of a defunct pizzeria what should we do with it?

The decision to spend $4.8 million was made without public input to stave off further litigation brought on by an ill-advised strategy to keep another strip club off Foothill Boulevard. According to one of the advertising reps, fur and noise from the dog kennel next door contributed to Shakey's demise.

Perhaps the public will have some say in what becomes of that property? So any ideas?

The Roger J. Diamond Center for the Performing Arts?

Leave a comment with your suggestion, the winning entry will be selected by the inimitable Molly Rachel Okeon and the winner will receive a lifetime free subscription to this blog.

UPDATED: The vote is in! Let's all please show our support for the Haderlein for Mayor Campaign Headquarters! (Slogan: "Priceless")

Posted by Todd at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)