Time to reach out, and get something done - Vallejo Times Herald:''You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.' - Indira Gandhi
I grew up playing sports - swimming, soccer and basketball. I was a fierce competitor who played with passion and gave it everything I had. Fortunately, that fierce competitiveness was tempered by the wisdom of my coaches, which I still call upon today. They taught me to play hard and play to win - but win with dignity and lose with grace. And always offer your hand to your opponent, whichever side you end up on at the end of the match.
I am in no way saying that our city's slide into bankruptcy was a game. But it was a challenge, unfortunately, that forced people to take sides and fight. I was fighting for the future of our city. The public safety unions were fighting for the welfare of their members. It has been a time fraught with emotion and anger and betrayal. Of course it was - we're talking about issues that mean something to all of us."
