Wading In

Shady characters need not apply By Kelvin Wade | | September 25, 2008 16:59 Last week, I enjoyed a cruise to Cabo San Lucas. The trip was long planned but came at the right time to decompress after the horrific killing of Matt Garcia. But I took Matt with me in the form of a Matt Garcia button I wore for most of my vacation, and I shared his story with everyone who asked. When I returned last Saturday, a new horror awaited in the conviction and suicide of Frank Kardos. I can't say that I was surprised by the outcome. But what's done is done and I hope the community extends its support, prayers and concern to Frank Kardos' children. The potential legal problems of council members needs to be addressed in the interview process. When John English was arrested, though I supported him on a personal level, I was one of the first to call for him to step down. Our relationship soured and Fairfield rode that crazy rollercoaster ride with English for eight long mon...

Last weekend, my girlfriend Cathi and I were dining in a nice restaurant in Sacramento. I was wearing the Matt Garcia button I’d received at Matt’s memorial service. Our waiter, an older Hispanic gentleman looked at the button and placed his hand to his heart. He said he hadn’t known Matt Garcia but he and his family had followed his career. He said it was a point of pride that a young Hispanic was elected and that he’d read Matt was doing good things for the city. His family was crushed when Garcia was killed. It touched me that someone miles away from this community had been following Matt’s career. No doubt there were countless others who had been excited by Matt’s election and knew of him and his good works before his untimely end. When it was reported that Garcia’s murder had been mistaken identity, it was another blow to the solar plexus. It’s a horrific thought that Matt was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when reckless, murderous ind...

Garcia's killing prompts questions By Kelvin Wade | | September 11, 2008 16:26 This is an open letter to the killer of Matt Garcia. On Tuesday at the memorial service at Armijo, one of the most emotional and powerful moments came when Matt Garcia's grandmother tearfully said to her grandson's killer: 'I have no hate in my heart. I just want some closure in my life. I want to ask him, face to face, why did you kill my grandson? Did you know how much we loved him? What did he do to you? What were you thinking?' Everyone who loved and cared for Matt has similar questions for you. How could you do something as cowardly and monstrous as shoot an unarmed person from the back? What kind of person can do that and go to sleep and continue to function in society knowing you're guilty of an evil act of cowardice? Did you ever really form a conscience? Is remorse a concept you can even understand? Don't you understand that you've destroyed your life ...

Garcia was lightning in a bottle By Kelvin Wade | | September 04, 2008 16:59 The death of Councilman Matt Garcia is a nightmare for his family, his friends and the community. How could we be saying goodbye to one of our most enthusiastic, warm, dynamic young leaders? I've always tried to give readers more light than heat in this column but I can't make any promises in light of the killing of Matt Garcia. I'm angry. I'm desk-trashing, wall-punching, profanity-spewing angry that an inspirational young leader was cut down by some cowardly punk. A worthless human being has taken the life of a priceless one. I've found myself hoping that police find the perpetrator armed and have to take him out. If the attack was gang-related, I've caught myself deriving satisfaction out of street justice being done to the assailant. What Fairfield jury would convict someone who punished Matt's killer? But taking a step back, I know that an eye for an eye leave...