Thank you CBOC Chair, Ivette Ricco!

I just sent the following letter to CC Times reporter Rick Radin, asking him to report on the courage of a local citizen Ivette Ricco who currently chairs the WCCUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.  We need more citizens like Ivette.

Rick,

The CC Times recently reported on the deceitful practices of the WCCUSD with respect to the school construction bond program in this editorial http://www.contracostatimes.com/pinole/ci_23947555/contra-costa-times-editorial-years-deceit-at-root

This problem was allowed to exist because a group of ethically-challenged individuals were free to run amok, thumbing their noses at the oversight process.    In July, CBOC Chairperson Ivette Ricco demonstrated the courage to stand up to the WCCUSD school board and tell them enough is enough, that the district needs to comply with the law and assist the CBOC with their oversight responsibilities.  Here are the meeting minutes documenting her courageous action.  Rick, it really does take courage to stand up to a bunch of high-powered suits in a very public place and tell them to do their bleeping job, as is required by law.   

Meeting Minutes

http://www.wccusd-bond-oversight.com/uploads/Meeting%20Minutes/2013/CBOC%207-10-13%20Minutes%20APPROVED.pdf

Rick, you wrote me the following

"I attended most of the meeting last night and talked with Ms. Ricco about the situation. There is a lot of frustration about a lack of cooperation with the committee, especially on the part of district staff, as you have pointed out. I think there's the basis for a good story here."

I respectfully request that you report on this if you have not done so already. You've reported plenty on Charles Ramsey and Madaline Kronenberg.  How about reporting on our local hero, Ivette Ricco?  This meeting was over 2 months ago.  Why the wait?   Add the fact that my city council and Senator Hancock and other city councils and municipalities simply rubber-stamped the debt-limit waiver and we're sitting ducks. We have put the cart before the horse, approving billions of dollars before fixing one critical problem, that being the compromised oversight. If the media isn't reporting on these sorts of things, what chance do we have?  I hope you will report on this.

Thanks for listening, Rick.  

Sincerely,

Giorgio Cosentino