Comments on: Did Rail Authority flout sunshine law?

By: Kathy Hamilton

Kathy Hamilton — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 00:26:54 +0000

Love the Judge Judy part. But I do believe that at least an audio tape could record the meeting and if there was a question, a court could listen to it.

The only one time that there was a tape was years ago, I think 2011 when Curt Pringle was chairman and the then Executive Director CEO, Mehdi Morshed actually said, the contractors were taking gifts all over the place. I remember Pringle said to the guy, “You can’t say that.” He meant you can’t say that when a tape recorder is running. That beauty is on Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design’s website. Go to home page, go to the left and scroll down to the word transcripts- it will be 2010 or 2011 and I believe it’s under the Executive Subcommittee meeting. There’s a transcript and tape.

There is no personal responsibility, no fines, no prison sentence for telling outright lies that have the potential of costing the public billions of tax dollars. It has to stop.

By: Grapes of Wrath

Grapes of Wrath — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 19:47:32 +0000

Kathy Hamilton is the Ralph Nader of high-speed rail. This is such an accurate statement. Thanks Kathy for all that you do. Thanks for the great, informative research and follow-up story on the “Appraisal Process”. Values are two sided, buyer, the Agency, wants cheap, seller the property owner, should want expensive. Right of Way Agent, possibly on a “commission based compensation package” wants payment for services or closings. Fiduciary to either side may be subject to compromising of the “deal”, time to market and pressure to “close the deal”. Property owner needs to be more aware of the importance of its ability to slow the process and benefit from the highest value possible based on a third party appraisal. Comparable property sales are sparse, especially in a down market. This is a fox in the hen house moment. Regarding the possible violation of the Bagley Keene Open Meeting Act; I believe the issue will be swept under the carpet. When I read this article, the first thought that came to mind was transparency and accountability. Good luck. Probably not practical, and surely would be resisted, but the following could be considered a deterrent or method of accountability and transparency in these so called, necessary, closed meetings. The airline industry has a black box (or boxes) that record activities, conversations, data, etc. during a flight. These are available to offer information that may be pertinent to a specific issue or occasion. Each closed session should be a “black box moment”. If the purpose of the “closed session” is justified, then the participants should not object to the “black box”. Its recorded content, only available in a questionable moment, similar to and as described in this article, and release of its content to “Judge Judy” to evaluate any possible impropriety.

By: Dork

Dork — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 16:28:48 +0000

However, no member would be personally liable; the state would pay from tax dollars.

And there is the Problem with most of Government, No PERSONAL Responsibility, We the People deserve and need AMNESTY from Any and misdeeds perpetrated by Public Officials, Public Servants, and Public Employees. When they have to PAY for Their Corruption, it will STOP.

By: desmond

desmond — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 01:26:42 +0000

Wouldn’t t be great if a couple zombies visited Rossi?

By: Charles Lung

Charles Lung — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 18:46:08 +0000

There’s a ballot initiative I could get behind. Make those who participate responsible for a $10,000 fine.

By: Wolfman

Wolfman — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 17:58:37 +0000

Californians have been getting ripped off on gas prices for years and are now accustomed to it