Letters for September 15, 2016

State’s bad behavior

Re “Price of a blown whistle” by John Flynn (SN&R News, September 1):

As a state employee, what’s most amazing to me is how common such behavior really is among department managers and how rarely such complaints by staff ever reach anyone who has the authority and cares to do anything about it. There was an instance a few years back at the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs in which an analyst reported false claims by rehab providers to her managers and was then chastised for going beyond her job requirements. After this analyst gathered enough information, she took it to the Department of Justice, which wound up imprisoning a major organized crime figure for these false claims. But the analyst suffered badly for a few years before all this was taken seriously. Although departments post whistleblower notices through their buildings, when you phone or write, you’ll find out just how limited your options are. Ultimately, unless a department’s director’s office wants to change something, there is no outside agency that will conduct a site review to verify any allegations. Most audits are just paper documents, which often don’t reflect what’s really happening.

David Merritt

Sacramento

Less hate, please

Re “Convenience of race” by Michael Crisman (SN&R Letters, September 1):

I am really angry that you would choose to print such a vitriolic, clearly racist letter that makes no one feel better (or shouldn’t) but the writer himself. I am white, but this upsets me and certainly does not represent my opinion, nor any other white person I know, including “decorated vets.”

Please try to select less hateful letters in the future. Isn’t the media, in general, already guilty of perpetuating this kind of negativity between races (including the Trump media coverage)? I thought SN&R was better than that.

Barbara Rohrer

Roseville

Impact and thanks

Re “The trust fund bust” by Scott Thomas Anderson (SN&R News, September 1):

Great story! I applaud SN&R for your continued focus on what really impacts so many in our community. Thanks for giving us news, information and features that are meaningful.

Charlene Jones

Sacramento

Correction

Re: “Isleton’s Last Stand” by Graham Womack (SN&R Feature, September 1):

Because of incorrect information provided by the photographer, Isleton city Councilman Robert Jankovitz was incorrectly identified as Mayor Mark Bettencourt in a photo caption. SN&R regrets the error.