Letters for December 13, 2012

He’s a point guard, not a mayor

Re “K.J.’s next act” by Nick Miller (SN&R Feature Story, December 6):

The questions are: Can we trust Kevin Johnson? Does he have the background to govern (correctly)? Has he properly disclosed and/or spent campaign and nonprofit monies? Are we comfortable with the findings and/or his level of involvement in Phoenix and at St. Hope academy?

If we have doubts about the above, we should be concerned. He has consistently been seeking more empowerment as mayor, spent an inordinate amount of time and effort seeking to retain a professional basketball team, and incurred fines and sharp criticism throughout his career.

We should elect persons to be mayor who have a strong understanding of the workings of government and a proven track record, rather than place our trust in the skills of a professional point guard.

Tim Worley

West Sacramento

Tumor on Sacramento’s neck

Re “K.J.’s next act” by Nick Miller (SN&R Feature Story, December 6):

While I truly believe in [Mayor Kevin Johnson’s] incompetence and corruption and thus the effort to recall Mayor Kevin Johnson, it is the arrogant impunity with which he acts that really makes me want to vomit. It brings forth a vile loathing of “politicians” that I don’t want to admit exists in me. Whether he just doesn’t understand or if he’s being evasive doesn’t matter—there’s a cancerous tumor growing straight out of the neck of Sacramento and an unfortunate four-year prognosis to have it removed.

Shawn Mainville

Sacramento

Difficulties in tracking racial profiling

Re “Low profile” by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R Frontlines, December 6):

I was chairman of the Sacramento County Chapter of the [American Civil Liberties Union] from 2007 through 2009. At that time, the Rev. Ashiya Odeye was on the board, and I was well-aware of there being a problem of racial profiling in the city of Sacramento and that it involved—besides automobile drivers—people on foot and bicycles.

The problem I had in seeking a direction for the ACLU to take action was a lack of basic information about how, when, who and the circumstances of the police stop. [Sacramento Police] Chief Rick Braziel was certainly aware of the problem, but it was difficult to determine how the issue was being handled. I thought for whatever reasons the Community Racial Profiling Commission—with the exception of Rev. Odeye—was ineffectual, and their periodic reports were insipid. Further, I didn’t see a real commitment by the city council to deal with the issue.

If people want to get serious about the problem, it will take the concerted action and commitment of the city council, the Sacramento Police Department and a commission that understands its role and has members that can get the job done.

James Updegraff

Sacramento

Newly elected, new nickname

Re “Witch hunt!” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Bites, December 6):

Thank you, SN&R, for the next four years of political satire and chest-bumping. I loved Cosmo [Garvin]’s prose on our “senior regional manager of state government affairs” dude and new District 4 [Sacramento City Councilman] Steve Hansen.

Steve, you’re correct: You are not the Pillsbury Doughboy. You are now christened Pokey.

Learn to love it. Do no harm in the next four years. Oh, and I voted for you.

Patrick Powers

Sacramento

Drive-Thru Mystics love from the U.K.

Re “Cheap and deep” by Aaron Carnes (SN&R Music, December 6):

I’m writing you from England. I just want to say what a great article that was on the amazing Drive-Thru Mystics. We love them here. Thank you!

Aaron Hutto is a true poet, and they rock. As someone born in London in the swinging ’6os, I kind of have a feel for the real deal, and they are it!

Trey Blake

Brighton, England

Real Ethiopian

Re “Less salt, more jazz” by Becky Grunewald (SN&R Dish, December 6):

I am a naturalized American citizen of Ethiopian descent. I strongly disagree with your Dish review of Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant. I found the food to be the best I have tasted since I left Ethiopia. Your reviewer has missed the mark by a mile when discussing the vegetable dishes. I found the place to be spacious and relaxing and the staff to be very friendly.

Zack Tabor

Sacramento

Ugly bikes!

Re “Looking down the barrel” by Nick Miller (SN&R Editor’s Note, November 15):

After reading this piece, I wanted to share my experience with bike thieves. Living on the grid forever, I was the winner of multiple “Where the fuck is my bike?!” awards. Is there anything lower than your average meth-head bike thief? Rhetorical! The answer is a resounding no! What? Oh … these bolt cutters in my jacket? Just my good-luck charm. Nothing for you to worry about, good citizen. Continue on your way.

It wasn’t until I inherited a women’s pink mid-level mountain bike that my luck changed. I tried to cover the pink with tons of stickers from a Mexican radio station. It was hideous looking. But after my friend tuned it up, it rode amazing! You could zip around all day and not get tired.

Was it embarrassing to ride a pink girl’s bike? You bet. But loads better than losing an $800 mountain bike! Mountain bikes are for the mountains, people.

Also, don’t lock up your good bike and leave it. Ever. Find a friend who is good with bikes and build the nicest-riding, ugliest eyesore you can. If you do it right, you can spend around $100 and save yourself the heartache I experienced way too many times. Death to bike thieves!

Drew Lawson

West Sacramento