This once great city has lost its touch, well at least the city officials have lost theirs. Our elected officials, besides Dale Fritchen, have all adopted a form of government that is spreading quick; tyranny. This type of governing isn't known in the Western world, we call it democracy. I live in Stockton, California, "The most miserable city in America," according to Forbes magazine anyways. In my opinion, its the most "diverse" city in the world, in the way it suffers from a mixture of problems.
Yesterday I received a Letter from the City of Stockton informing me of multiple code violations, and it asks me to correct these violations, and I will, but only after the city corrects their issues. For example, the city's budget has resulted in a negative ending balance for the last four years. Plus Stockton is atop of the nation's murder count, when looked at murders per person. To fix the budget problem the city laid off several police officers, which ultimately had an adverse effect on violent crime.
How, or better yet, why is it that the city can tell me to fix up my yard, or they'll hire contractors to correct the mentioned violations? But when the citizens have pleaded with the city council to avoid bankruptcy by accepting a donation, they simply refused. This city has issues too big for one man to fix, but it only takes one man to place the city back on track, and heading in the right direction. Based on the fact that our council members' disregard for the safety of the citizens, we should show our power in numbers, and express how we will not tolerate their incapacity to manage our city properly.
This is probably because of the suit I filed against the city of stockton, and our mayor, Ann Johnston, dealing with the City charters ambiguous wording which states that she (Ann Johnston) has already termed out, and cannot run again. If they do not have to follow their own laws and regulations, what makes them think the citizens will? I don't take orders from people that don't live up to their own codes of conduct. For many of us who live here, our homes are worth 25% of what they were in 2007, we have little to no income, and we can barely afford to eat, and the city wants to fine us $200-$500 for not maintaining our yards. It's time for them to fix their own problems, otherwise the time-is-up for the incumbents, and we will elect their opposition.
As a way of standing my ground I will pursue some help from local news agency's that are paid to not expose the corruption, and hope to get more citizens to rebel against their code violations, until our city has corrected its own issues. I am willing to do my part, but I want to make sure the people understand why I haven't done so yet. I will not live in a city which is known for its negative impact on society, and I'm not moving until I feel that it's safe again. LET'S TAKE OUR CITY BACK!
