Johnson accuses Fargo of political manuevering on City Council

Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo's move to review City Manager Ray Kerridge's job status drew criticism from challenger Kevin Johnson, who said Fargo was "playing politics" with important City Council business.

"A week ago she was prepared to give pay raises to city officials. This week she's trying to take them to the woodshed. It makes no sense, and it undermines morale at City Hall," Johnson said in a campaign press release.

He specifically criticized how Fargo added the item to the agenda just before the meeting, after Kerridge recently had a performance review.

That move was an affront to other City Council members, Johnson said. At least two council members are backing Johnson's bid for mayor.

"I haven't spent more decades in politics like the Mayor, but by any measure, 2008 has been a poor performance by the incumbent on a range of fronts," Johnson said in the release.

Johnson and Fargo, mayor since 2001, are squaring off after a runoff in June during which neither got enough votes to win outright. Johnson had 46 percent of the vote in that race to 39 percent for Fargo.