Opposition argument is that public money shouldn’t be used for the effort, but the other cities helping the cityhood effort make the most sense with their argument that they are helping the public by helping to increase local representation.
Incorporation foe upset
He challenges the legality of donating public funds to the Arden Arcade cityhood effort.
By Ramon Coronado - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, October 4, 2007
In his effort to prevent the Arden Arcade area from becoming a city, what makes Mike Duveneck livid are the cities that are giving money to the cause.
"They claim this is a citizen's right-to-choose issue, but it's politicians giving the money for political purposes," said Duveneck, who is leading the opposition against cityhood.
"This isn't in the best interest of our citizens. It is outside interests that are intruding into our political process," said Duveneck, the leader of Stay Sacramento.
The most recent example came last week when the Elk Grove City Council, on a 4-1 vote, donated $15,000 to help the Arden Arcade committee move forward toward the November 2008 election.
It was the second time that Elk Grove had given to the committee.
Early on, when the incorporation drive was launched, Elk Grove and Folsom each gave $5,000. In September, Folsom gave another $10,000. To date, Rancho Cordova has put in $35,000 and Citrus Heights has chipped in $15,000.
City Council members from the contributing cities say a successful Arden Arcade cityhood effort would help balance power on regional planning boards that are dominated by Sacramento County officials and Sacramento City Council members.
