Another example of the government and it's inability to function. We're from the government and we're here to help you.... man do I hate those words.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 2:28 pm

I worked on the 10th floor way back when. Now I work in the private sector, and have been involved in several companies whose products and services could enable the city to solve a lot of their environmental, financial and other problems. In our case, the solutions are non-controversial. Over the years, we have tried approaching both politicians and bureaucrats with no success. In many cases we go back and get them additional info that they request, spinning our wheels, spending countless hours and going nowhere. The politicians are so busy trying to generate p.r. and seeking short term gains that after five minutes they're on to the next thing. Bureaucrats are so entrenched in their ways that they are afraid to try anything new. People like Froman, Reynolds and Wade who wanted to shake things up probably just got frustrated trying to...

Posted by Former City Council Staffer | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 2:36 pm

balance the desires of the politicians while fighting the resistance to change by the bureaucrats. That's what has happened to companies like ours, which is why we don't even bother trying to do business with the government any more. Sanders is a nice guy but if he really wanted to go in and clean house he should have stuck with the Froman group. By alienating her and what she could have done, he has turned into a poll-measuring politician concerned primarily with reelection. He's just lucky there is no viable candidate (I'll vote for Francis but Francis won't win) who could really go in there and shake things up. By the way, Sanders situation is exactly what has happened at the state level with the Governor...absolutel nothing has changed.

Posted by Former City Council Staffer | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 2:43 pm

I'm not sure why you are so puzzled by what is going on at City Hall Scott. This is typical management under Sanders. It is only worse because of the advise he gets and takes from Fred Sainz. As long as Fred is in that office, you can expect the un-expected and EVERYTHING that is done will be done for "POLITICAL" reasons NOT because it is the right thing to do. Take note of the less noticed changes in Director and Supervisor staff within the City and you will see an alarming trend.. Speak out against ANYTHING Fred thinks need be changed or done and you will be seeking another job.. Even if only to voice a concern and offer a positive suggestion.. DIG Scott

Posted by Sparky | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 2:51 pm

Wade said, “I asked him if there was anything I'd done and he said, 'No. You're just not political enough.' There was no warning. No one said they weren't happy with my work.”..."I have heard a lot of concerns about the contracting process at the city -- the system Wade oversaw." WHERE IS THE DA? Oh that's right...she's already said she would never investigate Jerry Sanders! This is Pay-to-Play and they're firing people who don't go along...which is a crime.

Posted by kevin | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 2:54 pm

Pat Flannery thinks the union is involved: link but that may be giving too much credit to the already egotistical union elite. At least one of the unions likes to promote fear in their represented class so that they will keep the family business going. It would be healthier to clear house of the bullies, but that won't happen. It is certain the unions didn't like Rick Reynolds who had no use for their threatening ways; but it may be more true Sanders cleared the ex-Navy staff out when the Froman plan didn't work. He'll put in new staff, and hope voters develop amnesia about the waste of time and money of the first plan. Voters don't see the disruption internally in City services so voters don't really care what a mess was made by the poorly thought out ideas. None of this is unexpected. Sanders is a self-serving politician.

Posted by Leanne | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 5:34 pm

Look at the bigger political picture. The Mayor is stealing a page from the Governors play book. He is trying to gather as many special interests and traditional power players together in an attempt to retain power(disregarding the publics will). He is disregarding past promises and avoiding any firm principals or plan. Who cares if the public gets screwed, it's all about retaining power.

Posted by Joe | reply to this comment
October 2, 2007 8:27 pm

Too bad Full Focus isn't still around then Wade and Reynolds could "talk" about their experiences at City Hall. Maybe KUSI will invite them on every Monday and get the real scoop about the dealings of City Hall, our mayor and his body guard Sainz. Be patient, it's all going to come out. And the walls come tumblin down................

Posted by Norman | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 5:25 am

Sparky is correct. If people knew what kind of chaos the mayor's office is in, and that nearly every decision being made right now is to right the sinking ship and win a second term, they'd recall Sanders in a heartbeat. Our so called "strong mayor" is nothing more than a puppet.

Posted by Larry | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 5:50 am

Pat Flannery's link newspaper has a detailed explanation of what happened -- his investigation is staggering in its circumstance and explains that backstabbing over the (illeagal) misuse of IP addresses for political gain that led to the firings of Reynolds/ wade -- I would like to see what comes from this explanation.

Posted by Christopher Hall | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 6:03 am

It's obvious to me what's going on here; you have "Political Appointees" running the procurement department of the city. That management scheme is inherently fraught with problems given the decision-making will inevitably be political and open to corruption; history tells us that. It was a HUGE mistake by Sanders to structure government purchasing that way. Historical Fact: Before civil service in government was what it is today this problem with politics in the daily operations of government was common place; that's why reformists in the 19th century created the civil service system for employees that put managers and government above the political fray in their decision-making. Special interest influence, outside money and the corruption it fostered were all reduced. Obviously, Sanders is NOT a student of American History or Public Administration in this regard.

Posted by Bob | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 6:04 am

Really Kevin...a crime? Can you quote the section you would charge in this crime? Don't waste your time doing the research now. There is no point because there is no crime. Get a clue!

Posted by Caitlin | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 6:17 am

Perhaps, Sanders is actually being a good leader by dumping a plan that isn't working (Froman's) and picking up one that will get results so it can benefit the people? Having chiefs that can play the political game are just par for the course for a political office. The great thing is that things can truly happen within the political process, especially if we can bring transparency into the picture (We certainly need a lot more transparency in SD.). While many are painting doom and gloom, Sanders' recent actions could be the signs of a mayor who has finally "figured things out." Time will tell!

Posted by Citizen X | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 7:26 am

Wrong, Caitlin, there may be a "crime." When municipalities award contracts there are laws that must be followed- in CA the Public Contracts Code. There are also laws, criminal, making sure public officials spend your money ethically and morally- otherwise, Duke Cunningham would still be awarding fat contracts to corporations that gave him gifts and bought him homes. Here, however, it almost looks like Jerry got nervous, didn't want another Sunroad debacle, and simply threw two loyal officers under the bus. Beep-beep!

Posted by Omni-Potent | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 8:24 am

Caitlying, the only crime being committed in this letter are your responses, it is legal malpractice .. ... And yes, there could be many CRIMES that could be charged, including giftin away public funds, fraud, and to many others to list, bit this is legal work for real lawyer, so I guess that counts you out.

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 8:31 am

Don Bauder has more: link

Posted by Ruby | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 9:07 am

Omni and Billytard, are your shoulders sore from reaching so far? Giftin? I think that only applies in the south. Good luck with your theories boys, you'all 'il need it! Now Billy, get off that computer and get back to your English class. How are you going to get your GED this way?

Posted by Caitlin Esq. | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 9:19 am

So much for transparency (which was always given lip service but has not been a reality in the city for a long time). Thanks for the link, Ruby. Very interesting.

Posted by Leanne | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 10:22 am

Ruby--thanks for the link; very insightful.

Posted by Bob | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 12:11 pm

No mystery here. Sanders (Sainz, Michel, and Dubick)demand subordinates participate in rewarding the political and campaign contributors. Sainz and Michel did the same thing for Sue Golding during that discredited administration. They don't want bureuacrats (especially in purchasing) who are independent. And, they sure don't want real transparency. They have set-up an Ethics Dept. that is nothing but a "smoke screen" service for transactions that raise a red flag. It really is a neat little procurement-reward package. Now we find out that Fred Sainz may have been doing a little "political plumbing" and attempting to feed city IT information to Chris Reed, at the U-T Op-Ed dept. Is anybody in Dumanis' office concerned about any of this? Bottom line is that Sanders and his team are expediters for the downtown and hotel lobbys. Visitors and builders trump local taxpayers.

Posted by Torrey Pines | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 12:13 pm

Caitlying, you should NOT be signing your name with ESQ. you will be sued for fraud! Now get back to your Where's Waldo book.........

Posted by Billy! Bob!! Henry!!! | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 1:59 pm

Pat Flannery does NOT write a newpaper. He is a Realtor with a blog on which he posts his speculations and theories, some of which he backs up with material, some of which he gets wrong. I am as curious as the next person as to why these two have left the city, but can we please get some information from an actual reporter/investigato rather than someone with an ax to grind against the city?

Posted by Posted | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 6:20 pm

Man, how many people is VOSD going to let Pat Flannery post as. Norman, Sparky, Bob, Torrey Pines.... You should know better Chris. Flannery's blog makes Media Matters look like a reputable news organization. The entire site is devoted solely to smearing Sanders. I didn't even vote for him but, I'm still going to laugh in Flannery's ruddy face when Sanders is re-elected.

Posted by Hopeful | reply to this comment
October 3, 2007 6:53 pm

Hopeful :-) think democracy and it will all fall in place. I give Sanders credit for getting in touch with his emotions and supporting his family on gay marrige. Evidenced by his press conference, that was a tough one for him. He made the right decision and needs to make more right decisions. It's like training a dog. Give him praise and hope that he'll continue to do good. Unfortunately we don't have time to train if since he's listening to staff and not the public. Flannery gives out stuff that the UT buries. Flannery should be on Sander's staff then we'd see some real improvements in our city and then we'd know the mayor is serious about straightening things out. The team is only as good as its players. Right now, Sanders needs to trade!

Posted by Norman | reply to this comment
October 4, 2007 3:19 am

Another fraud case Billy? Are you sure it's not giftin?

Posted by Caitlin Esq. | reply to this comment
October 4, 2007 12:35 pm

Caitlying, how many times did you fail the Bar exam before you realized it is over your head??????????? Oh wait, you just made yet another fantastic cliam that no crime has been committed despite the fact you have done no investigation and have zero facts that would enable you to make any conclusion one way or the other...no wonder you were fired from the CA's office!

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
October 4, 2007 6:47 pm

Sadly, the sudden termination of two City of SD employees may be the result of attorneys advising City officials with self-serving agendas, not in the interests of justice and the civil rights guaranteed to all persons in the U.S. Yet, demanding accountability, free of legal, financial, political and religious conflicts of interest is becoming an impossibility nowadays.

Posted by DB | reply to this comment
October 28, 2007 6:14 am

Sadly, the sudden termination of two City of SD employees may be the result of attorneys advising City officials with self-serving agendas, not in the interests of justice and the civil rights guaranteed to all persons in the U.S. Yet, demanding accountability, free of legal, financial, political and religious conflicts of interest is becoming an impossibility nowadays.

Posted by DB | reply to this comment
October 28, 2007 6:14 am

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