K.J.'s biggest problem? It’s K.J.
The biggest threat to K.J.'s political future?
It's K.J.
This idea of Mayor Kevin Johnson as his own worst enemy isn't new. Back in 2008, Cosmo Garvin inked a cover story titled “K.J. vs. K.J.,” about how the then-candidate—and his skeletons, his ego-driven proclivities—was himself the biggest obstacle to success.
This gets more true every year.
Strong mayor? Johnson couldn't give up on his dream of executive power, but voters said no, thanks.
Sexual-harassment accusations? Yes, again: A City Hall staffer accused the mayor of repeated and unwanted advances, and it appears that there might have been some kind of financial settlement.
Acting above the law? Of course! The mayor deleted text messages pertaining to the Kings arena deal, even though the city attorney directed Johnson to retain the texts.
And, now, hiding secretive emails from the public?
You probably heard that the mayor sued SN&R last week. There's a lot more on this weird situation in this issue. But the most significant thing that we now know, thanks to a court hearing last week, is that the mayor and his staff have been lying.
We now know that the mayor and his staff use private Gmail accounts for public business, and that they're keeping these thousands of emails secret, which is in violation of the California Public Records Act.
What prompted the mayor to switch over to Gmail? What is he hiding in those emails? Why won't he be transparent and turn those emails over as part of public-records requests? We deserve answers. Not more power grabs, ego trips, harassment and secrets.
But I doubt we'll get any answers soon. K.J.? He only answers to K.J. And that's his biggest problem.