Sacramento residents have found much to distrust about the Boss Mayor initiative. Chief among the complaints: A small group of Kevin Johnson supporters wrote the measure in a back room, then rushed to put it on the June ballot without citizen input.
After a judge found it unconstitutional and an appellate court denied a request to block the initiative from the ballot, it was hoped the campaign behind the strong-mayor initiative would shelve the idea and bow out gracefully.
What did they do instead? A small group of supporters over the weekend wrote a Boss Mayor “lite” initiative in a backroom and then pushed the Sacramento City Council on Tuesday to rush it to the ballot without citizen input.
Sound familiar? This, apparently, was not a “lessons learned” event.
Strangely, before the council could fully discuss the matter, it was announced that the City Attorney and City Manager were taking the item off the agenda. No explanation was given.
The public and some council members took the opportunity to comment on the proposal anyway. Many wondered why a desperate attempt at a revised measure was necessary, given the city’s other, more immediate issues – such as its estimated deficit of $35 million to $40 million.
City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy might have summarized it best: “The entire city is suffering from a case of strong-mayor fatigue. It’s time to let it go.” Johnson, undeterred, said he’s bringing the issue back next week.
Join the Boss Mayor team at next Tuesday's City Council meeting to tell the Mayor that you too have Strong-Mayor fatigue and that it is irresponsible to rush through the process. | 
