SST, Vallejo is nothing like Oakland or Richmond
Yes there is a large Diverse population... a few areas like many towns with punks, i 80 right down the middle of the city does not help.
I live and work here( On Mare Island ), I live in the hills right next to benica and lived in the VERY nice Glen Cove are before that. There are some really nice new homes on mare island now too.
80% of the city income goes to fire and Police salaries here in Vallejo. some of the highest paid Safety workers in the state even before the overtime they are collecting.
14 Firefighter retire last week to keep thier accrued vacation and sick leave if the had been laid off. this put the city resposible for another 4 million dollars to payout.
There has been a multi year struggle with Contracts and commitments( political promises )
The city is trying to break the contracts they commited to until 2010
I am totally supportive of safety workers, I am not for thier unions controlling the local politics and raiding the city coffers even for thier members paychecks over what other local cities and counties pay thier employees.
The city goverment and councils has has not done a good job at all managing incoming business opportunities, over dependence on new housing development for taxes.
The city has acted for years as "We know what is best for you" so listen..
and the local populace has become complacent.
The city , the service unions, the employees need to understand that the local population and businesses are thier employers. The population needs to understand that they have an obligation to their city too. like paying REASONABLE taxes, keeeping thier neighboorhood clean, reporting crime, etc.... helping others
I know many of the players in this personally and plan on activly participating in some additional local goverment commisions to get this town back on its tracks.
This struggle is not just happening in VALLEJO, but if the city does declare bankrupty
Watch what happens to the municiple bond market nationwide!! and futher collaspe of the economy!
More Info this and the recent Mayor's race at http://timesheraldonline.com