We couldn’t agree more!
Editorial: Parkway politics
County shouldn't ask Rancho for a dime
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, June 28, 2007
The beautiful American River continues to remain the site of an ugly display of politics and petulance in Sacramento County. In short, Sacramento County wants to maintain an excessive amount of control over the river. Meanwhile, it wants money from the city of Rancho Cordova, which borders the river.
The money is for parkway planning. But the planning process is a case study in outdated governance and inappropriate behavior by all involved. The county launched a new discussion of parkway management after the creation of Rancho Cordova in 2003.
It could have advanced the legislative changes necessary to give the new city a direct seat at the table. But it didn't. It proceeded as if the new city (which it never really supported) didn't exist.
Inevitable friction surfaced. Rancho Cordova realized it was treated as the jilted cousin along the river. And it reacted in kind. State Sen. Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks, drafted a bill to give Rancho Cordova equal say in the governance of the parkway.
The county was outraged. Cox was easily outflanked by Sacramento's Democratic allies. The county preferred to be indignant rather than to get the message: It is time to share power.
