irony
“Sacramento Mayor Steinberg Seeks Appellate Court Judge” (sacbee.com, Dec. 28)
It looks like Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is about to eat his cake, too. Leaking rumors to the press is an outdated way to test the waters for possible judicial nominations and provide political cover if no nominations are offered.
At 63 years old and without experience in the first instance, the mayor knows his chances of being appointed as a judge are waning, but his ambivalence about his application for an appellate court appointment has allowed the mayor to backup options.
Or am I just being too cynical?
Denise Coupe
Granite Bay
employment opportunities
“Sacramento Mayor Steinberg Seeks Appellate Court Judge” (sacbee.com, Dec. 28)
Steinberg is rumored to be interested in an appointment to the California Supreme Court, but could sit in the Third District Court of Appeals. Re-running for mayor will only be possible if he is not nominated by Governor Gavin Newsom.
As one member of the Sacramento City Council took office this month, one member told Steinberg: But even with a council that supports his goals, the mayor is looking for other jobs. His long-term future looks like he’s applying for other government positions that local voters should be grateful for.
Bill Mottmans
sacramento
Kylie misinformation
“Kevin Kiley says he wants to get things done in DC. How does he do it? (sacbee.com, Dec 27)
Rep. Kevin Kiley said of plans to add agents to the Internal Revenue Service: However, IRS agents will provide Kylie voters with the help they need. The IRS is understaffed, making it nearly impossible to reach an actual agent. His hypothetical concerns about harassment do not consider taxpayers who end up paying more because they did not get the help they needed if the IRS had been properly staffed. Hmm.
Being critical of the government, as all Americans should be, implying, without citing any evidence, that American institutions are harming Americans beyond their charter. Being an elected official is something else entirely. It’s very irresponsible and divisive.
Neva M. Parker
roseville
money sink
“$1.2 Billion California State Capitol Renovation Slumps After Court Ruling” (sacbee.com, Dec. 7)
The project has been shrouded in secrecy since its inception. Congressional Bill 1826 (2018) requested a budget of $755 million. The current price tag is approaching $1.2 billion.
Congress justified the demolition as solving a problem that could be addressed by restoration at a much lower cost to make the historic building more modern and safer. The lawsuit offers an opportunity to redesign the project and preserve the West Stairs, an iconic gathering place for citizens.
We have to protect Capitol Park, but the problems with the Capitol Annex project go below the surface. I appreciate that the legislature has to pause and re-evaluate its options after initially making a decidedly wrong decision.
Kate Riley
sacramento
thank you mayor
“Sacbee City Council Moved Left. This Is What To Expect With Big Problems” (sacbee.com, Dec. 15)
It’s not often that you get the chance to chat and smile with the mayor of Sacramento. But it happened outside Chocolatefish on December 20th.
As soon as I was waiting for my wife outside the coffee shop, the mayor came out. As he approached, he politely looked up and smiled. We exchanged greetings and he added, “How are you?” I could have answered, “I’m fine,” or I could have said, “Thank you.” I guess I wasn’t ready for this civic engagement.
He also grabbed my shoulder as he passed. I think he knew I recognized him and felt that I deserved that special touch. Armed with this powerful connection, I thought to myself: Mayor, thank you for modeling how to brighten a winter day.
Robert Smith
sacramento
no more mystery
“Aftermath of Los Angeles racism scandal continues to rock city council” (sacbee.com, Dec. 12)
I wonder why politicians such as Antonio Villaraigoza, Sheila Cule, Kevin De Leon, Gil Zedillo, and Karen Bass, who have resigned from state and federal offices, reappear at the city and county government levels. I wondered for many years. Los Angeles. Read this article and be lost no more.
As a Los Angeles City Council member, De Leon earns $229,000 a year. An incumbent in Congress makes $174,000 a year. What an economic boon to these professional politicians! No wonder they never leave the gravy train provided by our public sector, regardless of how well they do their job.
Joan Bach
sacramento
stop poaching
“Wolves found shot dead by poachers, Oregon police say. Rewards offered to find killers.” (sacbee.com, Oct. 19)
About four years ago, California experienced its first wolf poaching in over 100 years. Four years later, another wolf that had traveled through California until a few months earlier was illegally killed in Oregon.
Poaching is a serious problem in the Pacific Northwest, and wolves are no exception. OR-103 is his 13th wolf to be killed illegally in Oregon since 2021.
More people need to talk about this, more needs to be done about poaching.
John Marchwick
Eureka