Thursday, July 19, 2007

Arden Arcade Competition

This increases the level of public discussion around this important issue, and that is a very good thing.

Cityhood foes organize
Backers miss a second key deadline but now say their goal is June 2009 election.
By Ramon Coronado - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, July 19, 2007


As a second-chance deadline to get Arden Arcade cityhood on the November 2008 ballot has come and gone, opponents of the lingering effort are picking up steam.

"We are not counting on them being dead in the water," said Mike Duveneck, of Stay Sacramento, which opposes incorporating the Arden Arcade area.

Joel Archer, who is leading the charge for cityhood, said while the 2008 election would have been nice, the real goal now is the June 2009 election.

"We are continuing to push forward to educate the community that local cities are thriving at a time when the county continues to lose money," Archer said.

Opponents of incorporation, who argue that cityhood would create an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and new taxes, and would duplicate services already in place, held what they called their first organizational meeting last week.

About 50 people attended the hors d'oeuvres and wine social at Duveneck's home, including former Sacramento Sheriff Lou Blanas, who was introduced as the "honorary host."

"It was an opportunity for businesses and residents to find out who we are and what we are doing," Duveneck said.

A variety of business people, longtime area residents, Realtors and a Sacramento Superior Court judge attended the event and gave donations ranging from $25 to more than $500, Duveneck said.

The event raised more than $4,000, he said.