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Facing a credibility crisis, Delta College leaders need to step up with candor and clarity


Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:06 AM PDT

Comments (101 comment(s))

The grand jury investigation of the handling of Delta College's $250 million bond issue didn't hit every nail on every head, but it brought focus to an important political challenge.

The bond campaign misled voters into thinking they'd get more than was possible.

Throughout this imbroglio, we've had some sympathy with President Raul Rodriguez trying to provide leadership while pleasing a cranky, divided board. But we were very dismayed at his statement Wednesday:

"We knew the money was never going to cover all the needs. I don't think that was ever our intent."

So the idea of having a Calaveras County site and an expanded Manteca campus were just a ... a wish list? The plans with maps and layout of a Lodi campus along Kennison Road that appeared on this paper's front page before the election were never Delta's intent? The site search committee led by Councilman Larry Hansen was what? Window dressing?

Ouch!

The voters are going to find it very difficult to forgive this "misunderstanding."

The grand jury was correct in identifying this issue — too much promised, too little delivered — as the essence of what voters see as the problem at Delta.

Beyond that, the grand jury slung accusations left and right and made a long list of recommendations — some useful, some wide of the mark.

It would be nice to find a scapegoat in the bond oversight committee, but Rodriguez probably had it right when he said the committee doesn't have the authority to preapprove expenditures. Yes, President Rodriguez, you can only be expected to answer to one governing board.

Getting the one you have to work well together and always in the people's interest is a tall enough order.

Which specific recommendations to follow and which to reject will have to be sorted out carefully by the board and Rodriguez. But first — right now — Delta has to begin rebuilding its credibility with the taxpayers.

It might take years, but the first chance to do that will be the June 26 project workshop. This is where the board and Rodriguez can start to be open and candid, where any leaders with something to offer need to peek out of the foxhole and begin to lead a charge.

Yes, it's going to be hard to admit that mistakes have been made — that the big campus on Kennison Road is a stretch — that making repairs to the Stockton campus and building a new campus in the rapidly expanding south county are the top priorities.

This isn't what Lodi voters want to hear. But we deserve the unvarnished truth at this point. Not false hopes.

If a scaled-down Lodi campus is all the bond will handle, let's start to accommodate that reality. If the expansive campus can be done by adding a shopping mall, let's get that on the table, or off it.

Now.

Frankly, we think voters can handle the bad news of a different, smaller campus.

What they can't handle is more delay and dissension.

The grand jury was right to criticize the infighting and lack of consensus on the Delta board. That is why there is little vision and leadership.

The voters are ready for a change at this point. This should encourage more people like Stephan Castellanos from Calaveras County, who is running for Dan Parises' seat.

It's also time for the people to debate some electoral reform of the Delta board seats.

Would term limits be useful? They are hotly debated, but in the case of Delta, a term limit would end the costly practice of paying a trustee's health benefit during retirement after they've served 20 years.

Would voting by trustee areas be an improvement? Experience with other offices is mixed, but it would sure reduce the cost of campaigning in a Delta College District that sprawls from Galt to Tracy to Angels Camp to Rio Vista.

All these issues are in play. It's time for leaders to step up.

There's much to be done to win back the hearts and minds of voters who are vastly disappointed in the leadership of our community college.

Let's get started.

— Lodi News-Sentinel

Reader Feedback

papercut wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:17 AM:

" common, you and your little band of scalpers need to invest in Reynolds Ranch or the new Delta Lodi campus. I hear that's where the big bucks are being generated, if you haven't already. See all that construction going on?LMAO "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:57 PM:

" To commonsense1: Your comments tell me more about you than they tell me about papercut. Go back to the office and try to get some more listings. Oops, I forgot, you have plenty of those. Well since you have so many listings and since TODAY is the best time to buy (Real estate is only in a temporary low cycle), you should be closing on at least one house per week. You aren't? Then YOU should be out there buying every Lodi "estate" that you can find. That is my REAL story. LOL "Show and sell---imagine a pool in the back yard" -ROFL- we will have plenty of "pools" during the next flood. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:34 PM:

" common, we were waiting for him Thursday at Delta. Where was he? Afraid to be approached by a group that had a few pertinent questions about the land sale to Parises? You are pathetic. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:50 PM:

" Paperweight, you have been personally invited by Mr. Gillespie to come in and get all of the facts. Bring all of your attorney's, recording devices, video cams or anything else you need. The other choice is to continue with your ignorant dribble, confirming your village idiot reputation. Let's take a vote. How many people think he will continue with the village idiot reputation? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:05 PM:

" And, patton, why are these same players involved in many of these schemes, like the developer who changes company names more often than a chameleon in heat? And that they maintain close relationships with Mr. King, the council, planning commission and the same lenders and southern California investment money? I guess it could be just a coincidence since Lodi is such a small city and there are hundreds of developers and rich landowners. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:01 PM:

" hey patton, you've promised to have the trailers there by 2013. That ought to be plenty of time to clean up the pollution left by the old Goehring meat plant. I guess they're just waiting for Delta funds to pay for it, huh? Why hasn't someone required them to start the process? Or are the waiting for the RDA money to cover it? I didn't even know that belonged to the city of Lodi yet, but it's already shown on the redevelopment area map. How can council approve this RDA when it includes areas that belong to a private citizen and not the city of Lodi. That council approval and vote should be declared invalid if that property hasn't been annexed yet. Please address this issue at the next Wednesday council meeting when we citizens will be in attendance, not at your 7AM sneak it through sessions. "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:19 PM:

" I agree that the location is suspect but I blame the Delta board for that. I dont see this getting built anyway. Hopefully we can still get Delta in town. If we do, Papercut will still be blaming GOBs and DG for selling them that property also. "

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JF wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:59 PM:

" Hey Paper, I love your enthusiasm but stop calling it a swamp! You hurt my feelings. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 27, 2008 3:31 PM:

" Some of these issues are already being considered and take time to process. When you have parties with multiple names, company names, and those multiple names names and multiple companies, there will be a very thorough investigation and then the proper decision will be made according to their investigation and which snitch will be given immunity that has the most damaging testimony. I've a very good friend who's a well known attorney in Stockton who keeps us informed what and who are being considered for criminal investigation cases and those two parties that're being considered in this area already know who they are. "

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T & C wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:48 AM:

" Papercut and edumacation make great laughter with a cup of coffee and breakfast! Quit your whining both of you! Show us reader's what EITHER of you are doing as "CONCERNED CITIZENS OF LODI"...based on all the "GOB" conspiracy theory you try but fail to feed us in forum after forum? Why aren't you gathering all this "So Called Evidence" and delivering it to the California Attorney general's office or the feds? Whining without solution feeds both of your inner anger and frustartion at being anable to "Grab a piece of the pie!" Be part of the solution Please! "

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patton wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:39 AM:

" Papercut, time to stop looking for the black helicoptors overhead and the bullet casing on the grassy knowl in Dallas. Yes, the delta trustees have been terrible, focus yoyur attention on them. By the way, do you favor a Delta campus in Lodi? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:09 AM:

" Yes, I do favor a Delta campus in Lodi, but not in that swampland surrounded by residential and a Gillespie strip mall. Let's use some of those vacant buildings in the industrial area around the LUSD office building, maybe even the soon to be vacated BC/BS buildings.I don't know why that would be any kind of priority with Lodi already $250 million in debt and rising daily. If we can't afford to keep just the playgrounds open at three parks, how do you suggest we support a college campus? This current location is just a money grab to peddle that polluted piece of swampland for ten times what it's worth. The only proponents that want this parcel are only the one who will stand to profit. Before annexing anymore land into Lodi, let's push these developers to start building on those three developments that are all but abandoned. Only the BC/BS moving forward on any of these, that were presented to council to be such a rush approval. And when is SJVLC going to show us where he purchased that 200 acres he promised to preserve when he got his premature approval by the three ayemeegos? "

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sam wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:04 AM:

" patton1 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:59 PM: " I admire people like Ann Cerney who are willing to stand up and front of people and participate."

You have got to be kidding.

Anne dropped her challenge over Reynold's Ranch flawed EIR for a measly pay off of $25,000.

Yup, that's integrity to me. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:58 AM:

" patton, I recognize your spelling again. Do you use this same spelling when you contact city clients? "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 5:03 PM:

" Papercut, time to stop looking for the black helicoptors overhead and the bullet casing on the grassy knowl in Dallas. Yes, the delta trustees have been terrible, focus yoyur attention on them. By the way, do you favor a Delta campus in Lodi? "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 4:59 PM:

" I admire people like Ann Cerney who are willing to stand up and front of people and participate. She has stood up to development in the past. She wouldnt hesitate to call Dale G. if she had a question that he had said he would answer. Papercut is a coward. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:38 PM:

" patton1, observer was spewing the same hatred yesterday and now he's gone and you pop up. You a husband and wife team? Or just another slug with many different names? Do you own property in the RDA zone? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:36 PM:

" By the way, patton1, I thought you gob's, council reps, city management and staff, well connected and the rest of your sheeple herd didn't read these blogs? Or are you just one of their gofers? Or ayemeego? If you're so worried about the future of Lodi, you'd be taking action against those you adore so much. Could you actually imagine an honest politician? They'd be laughed right out of the country. Most of those other blog names you and your buds used have been canceled by the moderator and now there are only about three of you left out of about a dozen and a half. Where are the rest of your cheerleaders? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:29 PM:

" Then why doesn't he respond to this blog and say he didn't anything wrong. And, yes, I am a coward. Some of these people are very poor losers and very vengeful. And they have the money and connections to buy what they want and who they want. They've been doing that for years. Give us your name and address, rear admiral, if you're the brave one. If anyone has committed any offenses, the grand jury will be asking those questions. I have a feeling Lodi is their last stop in San Joaquin county and if so, they'll be knocking on a lot of doors and will question many suspected unethical characters in one long stop --- city hall. "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:01 AM:

" Papercut is a coward. Plain and simple. Dale G. called your bluff. Your the loser here.You indicate that crimes have been committed and yet you offer no proof. Given an opportunity to learn more, you shy away. It seems to be that that says a lot about you and your motives. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:34 PM:

" patton, rear admiral sir, we've posed the questions for all to be answered right here on this public forum. It'd be nice if Dale would give us his answers and we can have some documentation while he's at it. Why not answer these questions here? Most braggarts won't answer anything in public and without their attorney present. You've been accused of many people of many wrongdoings and until you answer here and try to defend yourself, you have no credibility whatsoever. At least offer us some more of your BS excuses. Maybe you could get patton or commonsense and observer to talk for you, they seem to be so informed and calling me the coward. I know the tactics the gob use and it ain't pretty, especially when they're protected by the select few. If not, you'd all be bunking with Baxter Dunn right now. "

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DeltaEnglish wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:25 PM:

" The Measure L Bond Information Meeting is Thursday, June 26, on the Delta campus. It begins in the Board Room in the Administration Building at 9 AM and continues, I'm told, much of the day. There should be some truth and some Truth-Lite in the presentation--that's truth with 99.9% of the candor removed so the public's neural pathways are not clogged with inconvenient facts. Sometimes if you ask focused informed questions, you can actually get answers.

The first 40 people will receive a free copy of the Grand Jury Report--suitable for autographing by the trustees should any of them actually attend. If you do get a trustee autograph at the Bond Information meeting, there's an excellent chance it will be one of kind. You may want to donate it to the local history archive at UOP. "

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Jess wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:31 PM:

" Oth, I hear he had a silent partner in his land ownership so when the big deal went through, very little went to Danny boy. Most went to his silent partner and his creditors. "

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OTH wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:24 PM:

" Jesus Sam how can we help? I've got extra boxes, lots of newspapers. But with him being a multimillionaire and all I guess he can hire Starving Students and stiff them. "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Some of you would rather have an issue or cause than facts. Seems to me that if the man gives you his number and you dont call, that says a lot about the weakness of your position.Call him and see if he gives you a straight answer. "

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sam wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:05 PM:

" Hey Dan the Man is out as a trustee very soon.

He is moving out of the area. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:30 PM:

" patton, rear admiral sir, aren't you the one on his speed dial list and made plenty of brownie points and funny deals and now he's making the rounds trying to annul some of his deals? You call him. In fact you can call him anything you want. "

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JF wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Common,11:14am, finally a statement we can agree on.
Patton, just read the thread and get back to work. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:14 AM:

" Patton1, what a funny question. You started my day off with a giggle. And JF/Papercut, sorry I can't do this any more. As the saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". I give up. "

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patton1 wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Has anybody taken Dale up on his offer and called him to set up a meeting? If not, shut up already! "

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JF wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:39 AM:

" Common ole buddy,you said"commonsense1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:15 PM:

" Atta boy JF, show us how smart you are by using quote's from LNS, April 2006. They have absolutely nothing to do with reality." Too bad commonslick, the qoute was from Della Condon back in 2006, you remember her? The front for the warm and fuzzy college coming to Lodi who abruptly resigned from Delta for cheating Delta College herself over wages and sick leave. Are you seeing the pattern yet common? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:41 PM:

" common, why don't you try watching the Lodi CC meeting archives and see for yourself that those were the exact words Richie quoted in the paper? You always cry for documentation, so go see for yourself. We all know Richie and the Sentinel wouldn't stretch the truth. "

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JF wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:40 PM:

" Listen Pal, Here is the deal, I get you. You are amusing me, I have a prety good idea who you are. What YOU obviously dont get is, you and your vessel of truth is like the Exxon Valdez. A drunk Captain with a whole crew who pretend to have no idea what is happening but when they realize what really happened they bail out into life rafts to survive, leaving the mess for the decent people to clean up and Ive got the lysol to wipe this with. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:15 PM:

" Atta boy JF, show us how smart you are by using quote's from LNS, April 2006. They have absolutely nothing to do with reality. There I go again, using that big word you don't understand, REALITY. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 24, 2008 4:41 PM:

" I hear they've got some extra FEMA trailers for classrooms in that Goehring swampland they're going to call Delta College. "

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JF wrote on Jun 24, 2008 3:21 PM:

" LNS 4/4/06 "Part of Delta's plans for the college include residential and commercial development to help pay for the campus.

Mayor Susan Hitchcock said she hoped the potential development would not conflict with the educational purpose of a campus.

"It's really a shame education has come to this point," she said. "I guess you do what you have to do to make things happen." Della Condon

You sure do Della, you sure do! Even if it means everyone involved lying and cheating their way to get it done. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 24, 2008 2:47 PM:

" common, you should go back to one of your other blog names. But please don't use realty, er reality, again because you are really so far from the truth. And don't look up, the sky is falling, too. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 2:40 PM:

" JF & Papercut, here is a no brainer for you....bring a tape recorder with you. Better yet, you and Gillespie could both have a recorder! No he said, she said worries. That way you could use all of the damning information to hang him. On second thought that's probably a bad idea, because he would have recorded what you said. Let's see, you can except Gillespies invitation to get the facts, or you can start foaming at the mouth while spewing more threats. I wonder which option you'll choose. Hmmmm. "

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OTH wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:52 AM:

" JF what you suggest with the public forum would be wonderful. However reading the names 95% would be unavailable for comments. "

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JF wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:42 AM:

" to commonDENSE, I Repeat "Common, My time to interview Mr. Gillespie will come soon enough. Perhaps I could submit an op ed questinaire for him that could be published in the LNS and Record? You know common, a private face to face would only cause more he said she said, the questions being asked should be answered out here, in the open. How about you set up a public forum, get Both men from Capital Avenue, bring in ALL DGP,SJVLC and RPM shareholders, the College trustees,David Rodriguez of PPV in So Cal, Siegfried & Assoc, Neil Anderson & Assoc and the Lodi CC. THEN, Lets ALL sit down in that room and see whats turns up. Man up to that Common! " "

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papercut wrote on Jun 24, 2008 10:18 AM:

" common, we asked the questions right here on this public forum. So why no response for the public? With at least 5 different company names, how do we know who we're speaking to? Your previous blog is completely clueless. How would you know that no one called him? Hmmmmmm...could you be his lapdog or even......? I see your other cheerleaders are still not blogging either. Where are they now that they've banned multiple cheaters with many differenet id's. You have a different blog name for each company? "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Does anybody think JF & Papercut called Mr. Gillespie for a dose of the truth? NOT!!!! What a shock. "

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al da long wrote on Jun 24, 2008 7:58 AM:

" DeltaEnglish, your quote of simas, according to jurors, would that be a grand jury leak or his personal comments he made at his appointment with the GJ either way he just broke the law! I didn't see any mention of it in the GJ report. So if there's no report of this in the GJ report, then Simas would be incorrect, and full of it so which is it? Jail time or flatulence "

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DeltaEnglish wrote on Jun 23, 2008 10:25 PM:

" There is daylong bond seminar beginning at 9AM, Thursday, May 26, ending late in the afternoon. It will begin in the board room and move to other places on campus. Pres. Rodriguez has said a number of times the board and administration have to do a "better job explaining the bond to the public." The "Bondarama" is an effort to do that "better job." The bigger problem now is that people who have been reading the newpaper coverage of the bond and the grand jury report may understand the management of Measure L too well to succumb to Bondarama. Consider attending with a copy of the grand jury report.

See "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" on Delta Trustee behavior below.

"Ironically, the two trustees who according to jurors leaked that the board was considering the Tracy site over the one in Mountain House had just come out of a three-hour Brown Act training session, Simas said."
(from "Andal denies ties to leak"
by Jennifer Wadsworth, TracyPress,5/23/08)

[My problem is not Mr. Andal;it's the amazing behavior of the two trustees--if Mr. Simas's story is correct.] "

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JF wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:59 PM:

" Then again, there sit the old blue shield buildings and a warehouse. WHAT THE HELL, temporaries over those HUGE structures and for cheap plus bare ground across the street! Parking, infrastructure and IMMEDIATEly AVAILABLE CLASSROOMS. Too Freakin easy though. And you wonder why we know the plan is corrupt, PLEASE! "

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JF wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:55 PM:

" Then, by the end, we forget why we came in the first place because nothing of any substance with LEGITIMATE DOLLARS and CONCRETE TIMELINES will ever surface. You could remove the title of "workshop" and call it a "Monika Lewinski for the taxpayers" If it spins like poo and smells like poo, itsa poo! "

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JF wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:51 PM:

" This workshop will just be another mink glove back rub. A roundhouse apology to taxpayers and delta staff and some more promises that they again have it ALL figured out and they are off to the races. Classes will start in Mtn House in a week or two, they'll show us the marquis they built and build up the projects they just started on campus. It will drag on so horribly people will be staring into space for real answers, literally praying for them. "

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JF wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Common, My time to interview Mr. Gillespie will come soon enough. Perhaps I could submit an op ed questinaire for him that could be published in the LNS and Record? You know common, a private face to face would only cause more he said she said, the questions being asked should be answered out here, in the open. How about you set up a public forum, get Both men from Capital Avenue, bring in ALL DGP,SJVLC and RPM shareholders, the College trustees,David Rodriguez of PPV in So Cal, Siegfried & Assoc, Neil Anderson & Assoc and the Lodi CC. THEN, Lets ALL sit down in that room and see whats turns up. Man up to that Common! "

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OTH wrote on Jun 23, 2008 2:54 PM:

" Somehow I have the feeling this is another dog and pony show. Some pretty colored charts, with printing prices left off and a lot of methane floating around. It's all these people have to offer. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 23, 2008 2:25 PM:

" OTH, there will supposedly be a question and answer period after the meeting, but you know how that will turn out. Will Mr. Gillespie be there to answer any questions, and which of his many companies will he represent? I'll be out of town on business, but I'll make sure one of my associates will be there. "

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MARZO2008 wrote on Jun 23, 2008 12:22 PM:

" oth--

You mean the board will all be there to take questions and be avaible for comments? " no. they will not answer any question and nothing will happen to them. If they already wasted 250 million how much more are we going to let them waste? The should all leave and in their place should be Students running the school. At least they would have ideas on how to save some money and use it wisely. "

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OTH wrote on Jun 23, 2008 11:09 AM:

" ud

You mean the board will all be there to take questions and be avaible for comments? "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 23, 2008 11:04 AM:

" To papercut. I went back to my Ouja board. 1100 am: Remember that I told you this before you see it on the TV news. Bank United Financial the largest privately owned bank in the state of Florida, is on the skids with billions of debt and few reserves. I predict that the Office of Thrift Supervision and the FDIC will shut them down soon. The FDIC BE's (Bank Examiners) are probably on their way now. Mondays are usually the day the OTS selects. I hear the pain and the rats jumping the ship. More to come soon. BKUNA on NASDAQ dropped 22% this morning and has been dropping double digits the past few trading sessions. Its a Florida GOB outfit where one family controls it all. I will get you another tub of popcorn while you watch the unfolding disaster. Of course the carnage is due to mortgages on overpriced real estate!! Google it and watch. There is no way out now. I see more BIG banks following them. From 31.58 July 06 to 1.25 today. Great investment? Show and Sell! LOL "

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ud wrote on Jun 23, 2008 10:58 AM:

" The public is invited to attend a special Measure L Bond workshop to be held Thursday, June 26. It will start at 9am at the Delta College Boardroom and then move to Holt 113. This will cover the current status of projects and more. "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 23, 2008 9:50 AM:

" To papercut: More banks are going under. the only way they can keep solvent is to increase interest on debtors! Yeah! I want to see annual interest back up to 9-10%. It will do wonders for Real estate investors. A house purchased in 1997 will be worth the same as in 1994! What happened to all that paper equity when you can't find another fool to buy? So a 320K house purched in 1997 would go for 220k? LOL Some people better start doubling up on their monthly debt payments! "

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papercut wrote on Jun 23, 2008 9:44 AM:

" commonsense, no appraisals to do today? Where are your other made up cheerleader blog names? Looks like just you and observer now that they've verified all those phony bloggers. That answering machine at DGP, SJVLC, DGland,RPM and Reynolds Ranch partners, whichever one they are conducting business as today, will only return your call if you leave a message and identify yourself. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 23, 2008 9:15 AM:

" Has Mr. Gillespies phone rung yet? I will bet not. What a surprise. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:31 AM:

" edumacation, that is a riot. I wondered why manager King has that giant chalkboard on his back wall. It looks like the city of Lodi has adapted the George W. Bush method of fuzzy math. And do you notice all these advisors are his personal friends and same advisors he's used at his last three or four cities? They're redevelopment specialists, too. They advise him every inch of the way at the Lodi taxpayers' expense. What do you think those high electric rates are really paying for? This is a must see http://tinyurl.com/4ud5rt. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:23 AM:

" I knew ol' Bozz Hawg would be there. You know who he's a spittin image of, don't you? "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 23, 2008 12:46 AM:

" To Papercut: Relax breathe deeply and watch the GOB in action. I see most of the aye-migos and-- and-- and-- http://tinyurl.com/2vojf2

I received an an email from someone who caught some of our planning geniuses in action. This should explain why we the CC hires consultants. See this: http://tinyurl.com/4ud5rt

Have another box of popcorn! This is a great adventure. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:39 PM:

" And, Mr. Gillespie, not that 200 acres owned by your business partner, Fisher. 7 miles north of Lodi and probably in that redevelopment area. If that's the case, city council and planning must be doing you a lot of favors in the back room. I've found you listed as participating in 5 different businesses. DGP, SJVLC, Ryenolds Ranch Partners, RPM company and DG Land company. Why so many different names? And I'm not done researching yet. Lodi CC and gobs need to open your eyes and see just how your web is starting to untangle. "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:31 PM:

" To T&C: And thats my "Real" story. LOL "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:27 PM:

" To papercut: Thank you for the nice comment! I am only one person who has been adversely affected by the hegemony of a few GOB families. Naming them is futile since most of us know who they are. One issue concerns how local media can conduct investigative stories about the actions of the GOB.

Last year, the Sacramento Bee was threatened by a very large Realty company with many offices. "If the Bee doesn't stop writing articles about the housing bubble (which we are still in BTW) we will pull our multimillion dollar ad budget". This is legal, but not moral or ethical according to C.A.R. and N.A.R. It doesn't matter because days later the FBI announced new arrests at the SAME REALTY company. This is not to imply that ALL real estate business is a crime, but only those who lie and cheat buyers, sellers, governments, loan companies, and others involved in the transactions. "Business as usual" does not imply illegal activity. But as we read each day, more layers of deceit are uncovered as government agencies and the cheated learn about the architects of the unfolding Real estate plunder we observe. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:13 PM:

" You're really smooth, edumacation, and you're a special and intelligent addition to these Sentinel blogs. It's those like commonsense and observer that refute everyone and everything that anyone says about the gobg's and the way they order their underlings to take command of this city. They are generally a classless bunch and those who hang with them and defend them are those that fear them. It's really very funny to see those big boys and girls try to strut their stuff and put on a show. There's no possible way these pathetic, greedy money mongers could have any kind of a real life at all. Edumacation, thank you for shedding the light on these issues that have brought this town to financial ruin by sheer stupidity. Just how does a town of 60,000 get itself 250 million in debt? A lot of that debt occurred because of misappropriation or plain theft. Lodi hasn't had a full blown audit in years and that's the reason why. All this fingerpointing at Flynn while that council was robbing the city blind. We'll never see a full audit because there's too much money missing that can't be accounted for. Maayor Mounce, audit please. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:54 PM:

" In Lodi, three development projects are required to purchase farmland easements: the Southwest Gateway and Westside housing projects west of Lower Sacramento Road, by FCB Homes of Stockton; and Reynolds Ranch; an office, commercial and housing development at Harney Lane and Highway 99, by the San Joaquin Valley Land Co.

FCB is required to purchase easements barring development on at least 392 acres of farmland elsewhere in San Joaquin County - 1 acre for every acre developed in Lodi. The San Joaquin Valley Land Co. will protect 200 acres of farmland within 15 miles of Reynolds Ranch.

The developers OK'd the concessions as part of agreements with city officials and community activists, who put pressure on the city leaders to protect farmland.

So far, FCB homes has purchased an easement on 160 acres near Linden, the price of which has not yet been disclosed, and dedicated it to the city. Among the three development projects, it is the first easement secured. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:50 PM:

" And please, Mr. Gillespie, tell us where you purchased that 200 acres you promised to buy and protect for agricultural land so the three ayemeegos on city council at that time would approve Reynolds Ranch for you. Or did you buy that land yet? If not, your project should be red tagged until you show your proof of purchase. "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:23 PM:

" To Commonsense1: What's your "real" story LOL. "

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JF wrote on Jun 22, 2008 9:09 PM:

" Ok commonsense1. I have given you far too much credit, obviously you really know nothing and have seen nothing related to the transactions or you are just so ignorant and hell bent on spinning this in public ANY way you can to fool the ones who wont research or read, you will fool a few and talk through the truth but in the end when we wade through all the lies, enough of the truth will come through and your blind faith will crash around you. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:13 PM:

" Edumacation...My comment stands. You will never call for a face-to-face. You have no interest in factual information, but you sure do like to make threatening accusations. Come on Edumacation, call for that meeting. We can hardly wait to hear how it comes out. "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 22, 2008 7:56 PM:

" To Commonsense1 1:51 Just for the record. PLEASE READ and THINK. I have NEVER mentioned ANYONES NAME. So please don't misrepresent any of my statements. I know who the players are and I would never want to say anything that could diminish my testimony or show that I am biased against a particular person or entity. I never mentioned anyones name. So please be cautious with your ramblings. It is NEVER my intention to make innuendos about any person. However, as an advocate for investigating criminals and corruption, I support the law. Just because a person is a GOB does not give them the right to violate the law. The FBI has recently arrested hundreds and there are more to come. If you are one of those cheerleaders who feels that people are good and righteous because they think they have money, we disagree. Our prisons have inmates that include not only murderers and rapists but also white collar con-artists, salesmen, Realtors, accountants and politicians. I don't support criminality whether its a crime like murder or rape or the current Real estate crimes exposed in the national media. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 7:19 PM:

" JF, your back to your old self again, making incredible claims about "backside deals for BIG $", "land being held back", etc. Why embarass yourself again. Remember all of those threats you made about Grand Juries, arrests, shopping malls, apartments, dorms and all of that other dribble? Don't look stupid again, call for the real information. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 7:07 PM:

" Papercut and JF, you two have got to be dumb and dumber. It's hard to decide which one of you has the least accurate information. Mr. Gillespie has graciously invited you to sit down and get factual information and all you can manage is more cheap talk and threats. Stop asking stupid questions and making assinine accusations, COME ON DOWN..I have an idea, why don't you bring your lawyers with you? Anyone want odds on Papercut or JF "manning-up and calling Mr. Gillespie for a meeting? "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 5:24 PM:

" The 2.5 million wasn't disclosed for fear of bring SJVLC or DGP, depending on which company name Gillespie was using that day, and that would've involved that land purchase and the deals that led up to that purchase and the intimidation tactics used to purchase some of that land. Ferdun was the only one with the guts and information to stand up to them. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 5:20 PM:

" commonsense and observer, why are you against putting the information right here on these boards where everyone can see. You sound like our three council members that don't want us to vote on redevelopment, too. I'd like to see those depositions, too and wonder why these land shams continue to be allowed without anyone questioning the same corrupt land barons and realtors involved. Where are your other blog names observer and common? I see since they've verified blog names and addresses and phone numbers, your other cheerleading blog names are gone. C,mon, Dale, tell us what you own out there around Victor Road? And, more importantly, how you got the inside info no one else had but certain members on the Delta board? "

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JF wrote on Jun 22, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Delta English: you are correct. Partnerships exist between the sellers,developer,agents and surely a $$ agreement exists between developer and college. Land is being held and boundry lines changed to falsely lower land sales price to the college but allow the sellers to make BIG $ on the backside after the sale of the other property to the college. NOTHING is done without consulting the college "

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Observer wrote on Jun 22, 2008 3:04 PM:

" And for the record, DeltaEnglish is absolutely correct. This is DP's problem, not DG's. "

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Observer wrote on Jun 22, 2008 3:03 PM:

" Please....don't bother the paper cutting taxpayer with facts. It's much more fun for him to make up his own. A face to face meeting is much too terrifying for him. Dale, just show up some morning at HOC and he'll be spouting off. You can't miss him. "

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JF wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:54 PM:

" To Dale Gillespie and Commonsense:Thats a very forthwrite offer you meke. How about a deposition instead of the private meeting in your office? "

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DeltaEnglish wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:49 PM:

" Delta College has some sort of cooperative relationship with Capitol Avenue Development and Investments to develop the Victor Road property as they did with Kamilos in Mountain House. I believe the idea was to have the developers pay for water, sewage, and roads for the college and the campus was supposed to be a draw for potential homebuyers.

Then, of course, the bottom fell out of the housing market. There doesn't seem to be much incentive for Capitol Avenue or for Kamilos put in water and sewage lines and roads when it makes no sense to build homes.

I haven't seen anything in the grand jury report or in local news coverage that would indicate that Mr. Gillespie is guilty of wrong doing. As I see it, the problem is Dan Parises "forgetting" to disclose a $2.5 million as he is legally obligated to. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:31 PM:

" Just a thought papercut, why not go on a fact-finding mission with Mr. Gillespie and give us a full report. I was thinking, you must have a lot of questions for Mr G, but it appears you've already got all of the answers. So, why not take this opportunity to validate all of the incredible accusations you have been making. Think about how much better you'll feel. We'll all be waiting for your indepth report. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Papercut, you have an invitation to sit down and get all of the facutual information you want. You respond by making up more fairy tales. Why not take a chance to educate yourself? Bet you won't do it. Come on papercut, I dare you. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Here we go again, Papercut making perposterous and hilarious threats. This is the only way he knows how to respond, when give an opportunity to get factual information. Just as I said, he's not interested. I think most people understand this guy is the poster child for prozac and find him kind of amusing. "

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Papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 2:11 PM:

" commonsense, what's wrong with answering right here? Isn't that what you're always begging for? Why is it, all of a sudden< you want to change the rules. I think if Gillespie got $2.5 million for that deal with Rodriguez for that Delta college land, Rodriguez both not knowing DGP was partnered by Gillespie and forgetting about spending that money, they both should be prosecuted. Maybe DGP misrepresented itself to the board and those ghost owners appeared to be who they really weren't. Why don't you start with that dale, we're listening? Or maybe commonsense could tell us? And there are still many concerns how that EIR flew through at Reynolds. Where are those new roads and infrastructure you promised? That frontage road and Harney need to be two lanes each way. Are you waiting for our road funds to pay again? "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Mr. Gillesipe, you know the chance of Papercut, Edumacation, JF, etc. calling for a face-to-face meeting is slim and none. They have no interest in getting the "honest-to-god" real facts. There is one thing you can bet the farm on; they will continue with all of the cheap shots. "

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Papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:50 PM:

" The whole community wants to know, not just certain individuals. "

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Papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:47 PM:

" And you already know me, I'm one of those snobby sippers. Please answer these accusations right here on this public forum for all to see if you don't have anything to hide. "

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Papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 1:44 PM:

" Dale, you may be answering answering those questions sooner than you think and not by someone you think. Who will answer wnen we call? SJVLC? DGP? Your attorney? Save your answers for the big boom, which is coming soon to your twon. How many companies and aka's do you have and who trumps the paperwork for you? You can surely answer these questions right here for everyone that has the same opinion of you as the majority do in Lodi. And that's not saying much with your major help in the collapse of the land grab commercial boom and the big deals that contributed to its' collapse. If you signed contracts, even your tricky options, pay up. You want to be the big boy, now you have to pay the price. "

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Dale N. Gillespie wrote on Jun 22, 2008 12:24 PM:

" TO Papercut and any other interested parties: Please call me, 209 333 3400, anytime to arrange a face to face meeting. I would be happy to tell you and show you factual information. All I ask is that you identify yourself-that's more fair than what is going on here in this forum, isn't it? "

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OTH wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:55 AM:

" edumacation thank you good post. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:04 AM:

" Gillespie needs to be investigated by the grand jury. And also included should be Johnson, Hansen and Beckman. Beckman was involved in the shuffling of some of that land that was supposedly involved in the greenbelt area that will benefit his own family by allowing his land out of the greenbelt and being worth much more while cheating others on their land value by being in the greenbelt. Hansen and Johnson voted with him to approve Reynolds Ranch and just give him all the roads and infrastructure for little or no cost. These same people work together in a tangled web and now they have Katzakian, another realty driven family to take over for Beckman and have that third council vote to pass anything they want. These are the people along with their associates who should be on that investigation list and account for who they've legally swindled and for how much. "

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edumacation wrote on Jun 21, 2008 10:09 PM:

" To commonsense1 5:1 You know better than to ask a question like that. Read the newspapers, watch TV news. Our country is facing the greatest financial meltdown since the great depression. This time its not leveraged stock investments that is driving the crash. It is OVERPRICED REAL ESTATE. This is a PIG with lipstick on it that is getting ready for the slaughter house. One of the best ways that white collar criminals steal is to OVERPAY on junk properties. The banks fund the loans, the appraisers give boosted appraisals for the rediculously high prices and the new owners walk, or RUN. We all get stuck while the GOB is hoping they can spend the money before they get caught. If you like to read, I recommend. "Shame of the Cities" written in 1904 by Lincoln Steffens. You will find books in our library. Yup, they had a GOB in 1904, and our government never set up a system to investigate them quickly and put them in prison. We have the same evil today, only they use fancy sounding titles. Thats the REAL story. "

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DeltaEnglish wrote on Jun 21, 2008 9:19 PM:

" I believe someone asked about the Dan Parises' land deal. Parises sold 9.9 acres for $2.5 million to the San Joaquin Land Company. I believe the acreage was near, perhaps adjactent to, the Reynold's Ranch Development. Parises claims that he was unaware that Dale Gillespie was a "principal" (parnter?) in SJLC. Gillespie also owns (or co-owns) DGP, the real estate company that respresented the owners in the Victor road area where the college plans to build the Lodi campus. Parises voted to accept the deal negotiated by Gillespie instead of recusing himself. Perhaps, as he claims, he was still unaware that Gillespie was a significant figure in SJLC.

The bigger issue for me is that Parises failed to include his $2.5 million land deal on his financial disclosure form because he was filling out the form in his pick-up and "forgot". See you can get more detail from the articles posted on sjdcwatch.blogspot.com. "

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OTH wrote on Jun 21, 2008 6:19 PM:

" Lodian2 Well maybe some letters to the editors of those town papers might be in order. You don't think they get the Stkn Rec in any of those towns?

You mean Serna and Parises actually have constituents? Serna was elected on her brothers name. A decent, kind, compassionate man who cared about education and what he could do to promote it. She saw a soft spot and moved on it. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 5:21 PM:

" JF, describe the partnership agreement your talking about. Where is Delta sharing revenue, income, ownership of property or anything else? Get a grip on reality and stop whining. And Papercut, what land is owned by Goehrings and what EIR are you talking about? Please give us details on the Gillespie back-door-deal your talking about. And I would sure like to know about who these moron's are that will be paying more than a property is worth. Are you gagging on your venom yet? "

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Lodian2 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 12:40 PM:

" To OTH---- unfortunately, unless all of this news is
getting to Tracy, Manteca, Escalon, etc. these 'incumbents' will probably be there again because of the broad base of the elections. Serna and Parises need to have a 'townhall' meeting with all of their constituents NOW. And commnsense1 ---- you are wrong, as JF pointed out, but as usual your comment "They aren't sharing land or revenue with patners" is
worded very carefully. "

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JF wrote on Jun 21, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Common,
What you are missing is the truth.
You are lying.
Delta wil be partnered with capital avenue development, they dont make a move without each other. "

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papercut wrote on Jun 21, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Lodi News Sentinel, quit complaining about the Delta College board and worry about cleaning up your own little town and the city council that's stacked worse than the Delta board? Where's your scathing report on Hansen, Johnson, Beckman and Katzakian, who have put Lodi on the bottom of the scum pond? Hansen and Beckman were instrumental in assuring that this campus was going to be in that swampland owned by the Goehrings and is so polluted, an EIR is laughable if soil testing were done there. Why don't you, Sentinel, clean up your own house and expose those corrupted city leaders that always have one hand in the pot? Some of this investigation is about the private and back door deals with Gillespie and the other private parties involved into making this campus a shopping strip mall and another residential tract home project. When are they going to investigate those parties doing favors for their friends and who want to buy that land from one of the good old boys for 10 times what it's worth? Just why do you think councilman Hansen thinks this swampland with trailers for classrooms in the middle of a bog is so great? Funny "

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OTH wrote on Jun 21, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Your joking right? Credibility, candor from this bunch? They never want to speak to the public, they're always out of touch for comments. Well I for one can't wait for the next election. They can be out of touch all they want now, but come election day the public will answer for them. "

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al da long wrote on Jun 21, 2008 9:32 AM:

" CommonSense1 you've missed nothing, but the LNS has missed a lot, but one step in the positive is they didn't quote poster child Ted Simas today (they must have ran out of quarters to call him).
Good points on the LODI Campus and the GJ report. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:57 AM:

" Am I missing something? The GJ Report never pointed a finger or made statements indicating the proposed Lodi campus wouldn't be built, was over-budget, wasn't on time, wasting money, making unkept promises, etc. They aren't sharing land or revenue with partners. Ted Simas is stirring the pot and tossing his peers under the bus AGAIN! Unfortunately, it appears the LNS is being taken for a ride on the Simas garbage truck AGAIN! "

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Lodicitizen wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:47 AM:

" I agree that the SJDC board and management need to spend more time and energy on planning and fiscal management. The current plan is for the Delta campus to be 40 acres-I think this is 'scaled down'. Most high schools built today are in the 75-150 acre range. While I understand and appreciate LNS' criticism of the college district, one gets the impression they don't wan't the college here at all... "

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