Comments by RCMeltzer
Page 1 of 15 | Next
1 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on July 31 at 7:23 p.m.
A 60% increase over five years? Outrageous! We're in a belt-tightening low-inflation environment. 60%???? My heart is stopping as I write. Get real, people. I should observe that when it comes to student-supported issues, the general concensus among developmental professionals is that the human brain is not really "complete" until age 25. Perhaps that explains the student support for every hare-brained idea that comes along. 60%? I may puke.
Posted on July 5 at 10:57 a.m.
Source of opinions on this issue are way too important to keep anonymous - there will be many logical and honorable arguments, but also many self-interested arguments. E.G. is 'neuroperson' someone in the medical community with an axe to grind against Ron Werft (BTW, I never heard of the guy)? Could be, or maybe not. Perhaps the Indy editor could encourage truly open (i.e. non-anonymous) dialogue on this very important issue, so the readers can assess the integrity of the positions taken.
2 of 3 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on June 13 at 11:57 a.m.
Highlights from a letter I sent to the striking Botanic Garden folks:
As I read the statistics published in the local media and handed out at the Farmers’ Markets by Garden volunteers, several observations come to mind:
1. The expense of the organization is extremely top heavy, with a CEO ($180K+free housing) and 2 Vice Presidents with salaries in six figures and rent free housing for at least one.
2. The CEO and VP of Marketing have presided over a decrease in income, while enjoying increases in salary. Defies logic.
3. Adding a VP of Development might make sense, but only if the VP of Marketing is eliminated and the new VP is a proven fundraiser.
4. The Gardens depend heavily on volunteer labor; to get to the point that volunteer labor goes on strike, accompanied by statements from Executives to the effect that “we can do without them” amounts to serious managerial malfeasance.
5. The dramatic reduction in actual working staff, both paid and unpaid, the dramatic reduction in cash and investments, and the dramatic increase in executive expense amount in my opinion, if not to actual looting of the institution by its management, at least to malfeasance and total lack of effective oversight by the Board.
6. One must wonder if the Board and all senior management should be replaced before the Garden goes totally bankrupt.
Question: Isn’t there some state or federal agency that regulates the fiduciary responsibility of non-profit management?
0 of 1 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on April 2 at 6:50 p.m.
Let's go back to part time Council so that money is not the motivator. Our country was founded on the idea that real people with real occupations were the best qualified to govern - not professional politicians.
0 of 1 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on April 2 at 6:39 p.m.
Having him at State instead of Local will just further accelerate California's overall decline.
Posted on April 2 at 10:04 a.m.
Das is a professional politician trained by Taxin' Jackson. His major interest is not the voters, except so far as they can provide him a job. He is an opportunist of the highest order who has publicly stated that he considers "markets" (i.e. financial reality) irrelevant. Dangerous man.
2 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on April 2 at 10:01 a.m.
In other words, more spending on government staff. WIll these outreach workers be city employees with all the benefits that implies? Are the "planners" aware whether this a one time grant or a guarantee of ongoing funding?
1 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on April 1 at 3:21 p.m.
Das is big government can fix anything (at taxpayer expense) kinda guy. Expect more regulation, even sweeter deals for the public unions, and every higher taxes.
As a matter of honor and integrity, he should resign from Council b4 running for State.
Posted on March 29 at 5:50 p.m.
And they usually hide behind anonymity They embarrass themselves and don't even know it.
Page 1 of 15 | Next
Previous Month
Posted on August 9 at 9:50 a.m.
Just don't forget, Jerry, that it was the same voters who put Arnold into office that defeated every one of his original budget-fixing initiatives. To now blame him is fatuous - the voters are to blame.
On Cash, Cuts, and Questions