All across America today, voters are excersizing their right to choose their leaders and pick policies for their states, cities, counties, and neighborhoods. Many believe today's historic vote will draw record numbers of voters.

Here in the Valley, voters have seen a highly combative campaigning season, and many will not be sad to see it go. Some of the most important issues to Valley Voters:

-Not immune to national politics, the Valley is energized by the campaigns of Barrack Obama and John McCain. Although the coast is shaded blue and the mountains are red in California, the Valley is diverse politically, with both parties claiming large sections of the population. Even though California is almost assuredly going to go with Obama, the Republicans have made their voices heard here with their support for the McCain-Palin ticket.

-Proposition 8 is the hottest initiative in years for California. The Proposition seeks to change the state Constitution to only recognize marriage between a man and a woman. Of all the items on the ballot, this issue seems to have caught the passions of Californians. It has been framed as an issue concerning civil rights, religious freedoms, parental control over the education of their children, and whose side has "family values" right. Supporters on both sides have made headlines (and traffic jams) by taking over intersections throughout the region. Also, in a darker side of local politics, both sides have claimed vandalism and theft of their sides signs. Arrests were made in Roseville of two adults who stole dozens of "Yes on 8" signs from lawns.

-Sacramento's Mayoral Race has been tight. It has also not been a clean fight at all. Incumbent Heather Fargo and challenger Kevin Johnson have been fighting since before the primary, in which Johnson one the highest number of votes. Although originally Johnson claimed he had recieved a majority, no candidates had, leading to a run-off between the two. Since then, information about Johnson being investigated for improprieties with a minor during his NBA playing days in Phoenix were released to the press. Fargo gained the support of teacher's unions, who were mad at Johnson's takeover of Sacramento High School to begin St. Hope's operations in Sacramento. Johnson was endorsed by the police unions. Fargo has been critical recently of the police captain's budget cuts. Also, tensions rose after Johnson took an improper tour of City Hall after hours and tried out the Mayor's seat on the council. A video was released, and silliness ensued.

-Allyson Huber and Jack Sieglock fought strongly for the right to represent a section of the Valley in the state assembly. Their campaigns were marked by almost nothing but being negative against the other. Those anti-Huber characterized her as a "San Francisco Lawyer", a huge threat to our small town Valley values. The anti-Sieglock group showed him as a career politician, dressed him up as Santa Claus, and said he is a big spender. It would be almost funny if it wasn't so tragic.

-Proposition 1A is ValleyVue's pick as the most important ballot item. Although it hasn't recieved a lot of exposure, supporters advertised it as a way to create construction jobs in the development of High Speed Rail, followed by a huge number of permanent jobs as a result of the completed system.

-The energy propositions gained noteriety by the endorsements of the no campaigns. In fact, proposition 7, for renewable energy generation, was not supported by either the Democrats of the Republicans. The claim was made that the energy propostions were attempts by a "Texas Oil Man" (T. Boone Pickens) to ensure future and higher profits.

It has been exciting. We'll see what happens, and review some of the results soon.

Labels: Alyson Huber, Barrack Obama, Democrats, Election 2008, Heather Fargo, high speed rail, Jack Sieglock, John McCain, Kevin Johnson, Republicans, Roseville, Sacramento

Labels: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California State Budget, Clark Kelso, John Chiang, Sacramento

The Sacramento City council will decide tomorrow whether or not to increase the city sales tax a quarter percent to 8%, in order to use the money to fight gangs. The council will vote if they want to send the tax to the November ballot.

Mayor Heather Fargo is one of the chief writers of the proposal, which thus far is short on details. Where the money will go is one of the main questions. What programs will it fund, and how much will go to law enforcement? Fargo and friends will supposedly bring the fine print to the council Tuesday.

Already, many prominent voices have come out opposed to the new tax. First of all, Sacramento city is only considering the tax hike in the wake of the County's Board of Supervisors choosing to sit on their hands. Unfortunately, some cities within the county do not want to help shoulder the burden of what they say they have under control in their municipalities. So, the Supes rejected their own proposal, which placed Sacramento city into the position of doing nothing or doing something hastily.

The police union is against the proposal, but would like to see one that is comprehensive.

Meanwhile, as Fargo is a champion of the pending proposal, challenger for mayor Kevin Johnson has come out against the proposal. He says the people don't want a political facade, but would rather want to see a comprehensive, regional approach to the issue. He charges that Fargo is initiating this proposal to buff up her image of being tough on crime, citing her earlier comments that she believed crime was not a major problem for average Sacramentans.

The Sacramento Bee editorial page also decided to go against the gang tax proposal. Again, the Bee said the details on the proposal were to scant for their liking, and they feared the business repercussions for the city if it had the highest regional sales tax. Interestingly, columnist Marcus Breton went against his paper's editorial staff, arguing in favor of the proposal--or any proposal. Breton said that Sacramento is known for its inability to get anything done, and believed indecisiveness on this issue could result in more deaths and crime.

Going against normal journalistic practices, the Bee included the names of some of the area's gangs. Often times journalist do not name gang sets in the mass media, as it provides those sets with exposure and in some ways legitimacy as a group. However, an ongoing trial of gang members from north Sacramento prompted the Bee to describe how the fractured gang situation among the bloods in and around the Del Paso Heights neighborhood has resulted in a struggle for respect and money, naming several of the sets, including the one with members on trial. Johnson, in his letter to the Bee today, also directly talked about a gang in the Meadowview neighborhood as an example of groups that do not stop criminal behavior at the borders of the city.

Almost everyone in this situation is right. Fargo is right to be trying to do something about the gang problem in the city. Johnson is right in wanting to see a proposal that is regional in scope which clearly defines where money will go. Marcus Breton, the perpetual contrarian, is right that Sacramento must do something to fight the problems of gangs, even if it is not perfect--as no government initiative will ever be perfect.

The only people that are wrong on this issue are the Supervisors that didn't support Roger Dickinson's original proposal, and won't discuss ways to make the proposal more comprehensive and clear cut. The people that are wrong are those that live in and govern Citrus Heights and other suburban cities that fallaciously believe gangs do not and will not pose a threat to their burgs. The heart of the region IS Sacramento, and if you allow the core to go bad, you allow what is bad to spread. Gangs are already active in many unincorporated areas of Sacramento. Rancho Cordova and Elk Grove are already seeing the effect of gangs in their cities, though they sometimes pretend to say the problem is gang members coming from Sacramento. Unfortunately, in whatever jurisdiction the ballot issue would come from, it is hard to believe a sales tax increase would pass in our current economy by the required margin of 2/3rds.

Valleyvue believes gangs are the most evident source of crime in California today. Gangs primarily draw membership from youths, who, still in their formative years, will be affected by their gang association in their beliefs and decision-making for the rest of their lives. Gangs beget drugs, prostitution, violence, theft, rape, and any other crime known. It is OK to question Fargo's and Dickinson's proposal on the basis of wanting to know where the money will go or what is the best way to end gangism. However, for those who say gangs do not affect them, pay special attention to crime reports in your city. Remember your lack of action as you watch the family of a victim of a drive by shooting mourning on TV, or see gang graffiti painted on fences in your neighborhood, or someone you know is beaten for wearing the wrong color. Will it happen in Citrus Heights? Yes. It probably already is, but if not will someday. Besides, whether you live in Folsom, Citrus Heights, or Arden Arcade, you are from Sacramento.

Labels: Arden Arcade, Citrus Heights, Del Paso Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Gang Activity, Gangs, Heather Fargo, Kevin Johnson, Marcus Breton, Meadowview, Roger Dickinson, Sacramento, Sales Tax

Ever wonder how a city got it's name?

Today, ValleyVue brings to you a history lesson on names of a few of the Valley's cities.

Coalinga, a city 60 miles southwest of Fresno along I5, has an interesting name source. In the 1800s, the Southern Pacific railroad had a station there called Coaling Station A. Take out the "station", and you have the name of the city, pronounce Coe-a-ling-a.

Some Valley cities come from Spanish origins. Fresno, for instance, means "white ash trees".

Although Manteca is the Spanish word for lard, city residents intended on calling their town "Monteca." However, the Central Pacific Railroad misprinted the name, and Manteca was eventually adopted.

Sacramento, another Spanish word, was the name of the river and valley after Spanish explorer Gabriel Moraga named the geographical features after the most Holy Sacramento of the Body and Blood of Christ. John Sutter wanted to name the area "New Helvetia", but his son and other city founders renamed the town Sacramento after the already established name of the Sacramento River.

Captain Charles Weber (which Weber Events Center is named after) decided to name Stockton after Commodore Robert F. Stockton. Prior to that, the area was referred to as Tuleburg, Gas City, and Mudville. It seems as if Weber made a prudent decision.

Visalia is named after Visalia, Kentucky, which was the home of surveyor Nathaniel Vise, one of the area's first American settlers.

Then there are cities where the origin of the name is in dispute. Lodi is such a city. Most believe it was named after Lodi, Illinois, where some of the settlers were from. Others believe it was either named after a place in Italy or a championship horse.

Whatever the origins of the names, they certainly give character to the Valley's cities.

Labels: California Central Valley, Coalinga, Fresno, Lodi, Manteca, Sacramento, Stockton, Visalia

This is the fifth article (out of five) in a series regarding important projects that should be built in the Sacramento area, but progress is restricted by finances.

That Sacramento needs to replace and fortify its existing levees is no surprise, and much of the delta region requires levee modification as well. The thing to watch is to what extent riparian areas must be restrained.

With thousands of miles of levees in the Valley, the government is strengthening some levees, but also classifying some areas as "flood zones." Flood zones are considered to be lands that don't have the federal minimum level of flood protection. Recently in Sacramento, the Army Corps of Engineers classified the Natomas neighborhood to be in a flood plain. Existing homes, of which there are thousands, must obtain flood insurance. A building moratorium may also be placed on the area, prompting developers and government officials to try to speed up projects in process. This includes an expansion to the Sacramento International Airport.

Makes you think. If Sacramento was hit by a major flood, what if the airport was flooded? Wouldn't that block at least some relief efforts or evacuations? Even if lands between the airport and downtown were affected, it could be even worse.

Neighborhoods throughout Sacramento are potential flood zones. The Pocket Area is surrounded on three sides by the Sacramento River. Downtown could be flooded, as much of it was a lake prior to being drained by early American settlers.

A flood would be devastating to the local economy, and could potentially take the lives of countless people. Worst of all would be the knowledge that if enough resources had been spent to secure levees, no disaster would occur at all.

Labels: American River, Levees, Natomas, Pocket, Sacramento, Sacramento River

For a long time, Sacramento has desired a private University. Already boasting major universities in town with Sacramento State and UC Davis, the missing part of the higher educational landscape has been a institution independent of the state.

Various attempts have been made or are in the process of developing. Sacramento does already have several of the alternative colleges such as University of Phoenix and National University. However, what many in the region crave is a comprehensive, traditional college with thousands of undergraduates and regional accreditation. Currently, students seeking this type of college environment may attend William Jessup University in Rocklin, a recent transplant from San Jose with around 500 students. They may go farther, to Stockton's University of the Pacific or Moraga's St. Mary's College. In the future, Sacramentans would like to see a university on par with Pacific or St. Mary's, possibly Jessup or another institution.

The University of Sacramento, a budding program run by the Legionaries of Christ of the Catholic Church, has plans to do just that. The University of Sacramento has a goal of 7000 students on a campus built east of Sacramento, with an undergraduate focus on liberal arts and 2000 graduate students.

Drexel University, of Philadelphia, also recently announced a goal to build an undergraduate/graduate campus near Roseville. To jump-start the effort, Drexel is offering graduate level courses in a Sacramento downtown office. Other colleges that offer courses through extensions in Sacramento include St. Mary's and USC. Pacific operates McGeorge School of Law.

One day, Sacramentans hope to have a major private university within the city or in the immediate vicinity. Yet another opportunity that will cost loads of money, but will serve the region indefinitely.

Labels: Drexel, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, Sacramento State, UC Davis, University of Sacramento, University of the Pacific, William Jessup

Someday...High Speed Rail.

At least that's what an ever-growing list of proponents want to believe. The Valley, especially, has a major stake in this endeavor. Bullet Trains have the potential to add an airport-like transportation station to any city with a stop, connecting it to the major cities of the state.

One problem is the number of plans bandied about on how to build high speed rail systems. These range from where to route the tracks to what technology should be used for the trains.

Most assuredly, Anaheim/Disneyland will get a station, as a major destination within the state. From there, Los Angeles downtown seems likely, and then to get up north to the Bay Area, the tracks will go into the Valley. Fresno has a prime location, making it a shoo in for a station. The possible economic boom by being connected to the Bay Area and LA are big for places like Fresno, Merced, Modesto, and so on.

This article is focusing on the Sacramento region, and how important high speed rail could be to the Capital City. Sacramento is left out in current plans for the system, which will likely dive into the Bay Area by crossing at the Alta Mont Pass or possibly up the peninsula. Sacramento would be left out, for now. Extensions would be built after the system is in place to Sacramento and San Diego.

Yesterday's article about light rail and the prohibitive costs are minuscule compared to the cutting edge technology of bullet trains. The system might cost billions, but many proponents believe it could be self supporting, with airport-like ticketing. Even airlines have supported this possible competitor, saying that at some point airports will become too congested and alternative transportation options would could alleviate the jams.

If there is going to be a high speed system in California, it makes sense to link the capital. Someday, it can be built, but at a high price.

Labels: bullet trains, California Central Valley, Fresno, high speed rail, Merced, Modesto, Sacramento

Labels: light rail, Regional Transit, Sacramento, Sacramento International Airport

This week, ValleyVue will highlight five of the most important projects for the Sacramento region. The completed projects could change the way Sacramentans live, hopefully for the better. Most recognize the need for them, but all balk at the price tags attached. And, no, a new arena for the Kings will not be one of the five projects. ValleyVue sees the ultimate need and value of a new arena for Sacramento, but these five projects will be truly transformative, effecting everyone in the area for decades. At some point, it seems imminent that an arena will be built. These other projects will also likely come to fruition, but only if the money works out.

First in the series will be the Beltway. To transport people and goods in and through Sacramento, a freeway must be built from I-5 in Elk Grove to U.S. Route 50 in Folsom/El Dorado Hills, and then from that area to I-80 east of Roseville.

The last major change to the region's maps regarding freeways was in 1972 with the addition of the Business 80 bypass in northern Sacramento. Most of the area's freeways had developed into today's recognizable map placement by 1970. In 38 years, Sacramento city has increased in population by 200,000 people. Also in that time, cities throughout the region have incorporated and expanded wildly. The suburbs of Elk Grove and Roseville each have over 100,000 residents. Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Lincoln, and Rocklin also have significant populations along the route of the beltway.

The Sacramento region is not what it was in the early 70's. As highways in that era were built for the communities of the time, a new freeway must be planned and developed as a reaction to the area's sprawl. Yes, the danger will be that sprawl will follow the new highway, spreading further out from the suburb communities. However, if nothing is done, grid lock will be the result. In fact, by making transportation more efficient in the region, gas can be saved, goods can be delivered more cheaply, and pollution can be reduced. Surely, trying to focus growth in the urbanized areas is of prime importance, but now that the community has expanded, officials must respond. Whenever the money becomes available...

Tomorrow: Light Rail Expansion

Labels: air pollution, Elk Grove, Folsom, I-5, I-80, Lincoln, Ranch Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, traffic, US-50

Labels: Art Savage, Brite, Broderick, Christopher Calbadon, FEMA, Port of Sacramento, Rivercats, Sacramento, West Sacramento

The Valley has had some of it's biggest visitors ever over the past few weeks. Garnering national publicity, huge crowds, and constant local news coverage, the visitors have caused a sensation in the delta region between West Sacramento and Rio Vista.

Delta, a mother humpback whale, and Dawn, her calf, strayed last week into the San Francisco Bay and into the Delta, ending up in the turning basin of the Port of Sacramento, 90 miles from the Golden Gate. Since that event, biologists from all over the west coast have tried to lend their expertise in turning the whales around. Although efforts were made to aggitate the whales enough to send them back down the deep water channel, the whales would not leave West Sacramento. That is, until Sunday, when they began to swim south on their own.

Followed by a group of boats, including a Coast Guard cutter, the whales went south into the night, stopping only when they got to the Rio Vista bridge. Since that progress, Delta and Dawn have again stopped, staying in the area of Rio Vista. The whales continue to circle the area, which is in the delta region. The water the whales are currently in does not have the salt content, the cold water temperature, or food available to sustain the whales, and time is a factor in getting the whales back to where they belong.

The whales face several obstacles, including marks that indicate they may have been injured by boat propellers. Whale helpers also have been hindered, ironically, in some ways by the laws protecting the endangered animals. Each new tactic, including playing sounds, banging pipes on to the water to annoy them, and even tagging Delta for tracking, all have had to be approved. The tags were not able to be applied due to high winds in the region, as of Monday. This has resulted in a search each morning by Coast Guard, scientific observers, and media to find the whales in order to decide what to do to encourage the whales towards swimming out to sea.

Tens of thousands of whale well-wishers lined the levees when the whales visited West Sacramento, many with a desire to see the mammals go home. It is nice to see that Delta and Dawn do seem to be moving closer to where they need to go. The whales on Tuesday were seen looping through Cache Slough north of Rio Vista. Such an amazing, unique site to see for Valley dwellers is exhilarating and captivating, but the time has come for our whales to go back to where they will be free and healthy. Thanks for visiting, now, go home.

Labels: Delta and Dawn, Rio Vista, Sacramento, whales

After the pomp and circumstance of Governor Schwarzenegger's recent inaugurals, Sacramento seems to be, at least for now, shrouded in blanket of silence.

No, there was no blanket of snow on the Capital, as predicted as a possibility by several local media outlets.

The silence is heard at Arco Arena, where fans are staying away in droves to avoid watching another defeat by their hardcourt heroes. The Kings are adding their own brand of silence, with minuscule shooting percentages resulting in the "swish" being named to the endangered sounds list.

The silence is heard on our college campuses and in our young communities, where Ipods and MP3s have replaced records, tapes, Cds, and unfortunately, venerable Sacramento retailer Tower.


Meanwhile, there is again trouble on K Street, where the city would like to redevelop, effectively extending somewhat fancier retail options from the downtown plaza down another block. One of the owners of a K Street building is now balking at a land swap he has already agreed to do. This is something to do with two K buildings that were destroyed in a recent fire. It may only end with imminent domain proceedings. The city, after over a decade of hoping for it, is now determined to rejuvenate K.

The frustration of downtown's failures is even more depressing when compared to all outer edges of the Sacramento area. The Lincolns, Elk Groves, Natomas, and El Dorado Hills of ten years ago are unrecognizable to what they have become. Even West Sacramento is seeing unprecedented growth. Construction in those areas rushes along, while central city work, while assuredly more complex, struggles along and often fails.

Time will tell if Sacramento starts humming again. It is only winter, and construction will likely pick up in the warmer months. Hopefully some of that developmental attention is focused on the heart.

Labels: construction, development, Sacramento, Sacramento Towers

Happy New Year!

2007

As necessary as looking back, we must also look forward. Here is ValleyVue's "forecast" for Central Valley events in 2007. It is presented as worst case and best case scenarios:

1. Worst Case: Port of Sacramento closes operations. Although now operated by the Port of Oakland, the Port of Sacramento continues to lose money and is unable to compete against the Port of Stockton and other West Coast ports, including an emerging super port in Vancouver, BC.
Best Case: Dredging plans move forward to deepen water channel to Port of Sacramento. Not able to currently handle freight easily hauled to the Port of Stockton, the channel is deepened to allow for larger vessels from Sacramento's parent port in Oakland. The Port of Oakland continues to grow in traffic and increasingly uses Sacramento to handle overflow traffic. Asian markets increase need for the Valley's crops, and new export deals increase outgoing port traffic.

2. Worst Case: State government stagnates as Schwarzenegger and state house bicker. All sense of bipartisanship is lost, and the governor returns to pursuing conservative measures to appease his Republican backers. State Democrats seize the opportunity, and push their agenda. Nothing gets done.
Best Case: Lessons of old bring forth sense of cooperation in Sacramento. Like any good Hollywood star, Schwarzenegger recognizes the source of his popularity and continues to push for balance. He moves forward on environmental issues, and improves relations with the state's public unions to appease the left. On the right, Schwarzenegger and the state representatives agree crime is a major concern and work to reduce it by focusing on gangs. President Bush visits Schwarzenegger in L.A. to talk about immigration issues, in the beginning development of a national policy.

3. Worst Case: Sacramento's downtown growth slows. A number of forces combine to damage Sacramento's downtown core for years to come. Rising construction and steel prices put a halt to the building of "The Towers" project on the Capital Mall, causing a rippling effect to other construction projects through downtown. "The Aura" condo tower project, fearing similar results, also stops plans, and no new tower plans come in to the city. The new owners of the Railyard become embroiled with the city on how much the Sacramento Train Depot is worth, and toxic soils continue to dog plans to build on the project. The Greyhound Station remains in its current location, and crime hurts the downtown image.
Best Case: Sacramento's moving on up! "The Towers" project continues to proceed, largely due to developer John Saca's determination. That projects success spurs interest in downtown, not only among developers, but also potential residents who now see downtown as a good community to live in. The positive aura spreads, and West Sacramento begins to quickly develop its side of the Sacramento River, speeding the need for a Tower Bridge trolley. The Broadway corridor, struggling through a mental malaise brought on by the bankruptcy of Tower Records, sees the road surge with new retail. The move of the Train Depot building causes much spectacle in the city, and goes off without a hitch. The Railyard begins building after toxicity concerns are cleared. The spot in the Railyards reserved for an arena is put to good use (see #2 below).

2. Worst Case: Las Vegas Kings. In a surprise announcement following the end of the season, Kings officials announce a move to Las Vegas. NBA Chief David Stern, after months of unfruitful negotiations with the city, blesses the move, which is approved by the NBA owners. The Maloofs announce plans to build a new arena in Las Vegas, in connection with its casino holdings. They sell the Monarchs for a bargain price to a local ownership group. However, after Arco is bulldozed to make way for new houses, the team reaches a deal with the University of California to play its home games at the Pavilion in Davis.
Best Case: Arena financing deal settled. Stern, the Maloofs, county and city officials announce in a joint press conference a public-private financing plan for a new arena in the Railyards. The Arena is to be owned by a new "Sacramento Stadium Authority", which has authority over all architectural details. Maloof requirements for huge parking garages are dropped. The Maloofs go for the deal because they see no better opportunities elsewhere.

1. Worst Case: Valley city floods. Record rainfall in one April weekend, combined with warm temperatures in the mountains causing the snow to melt, results in the highest river levels seen in decades. Levees, weakened by years of animal burrowing, plant growth, and river erosion, break, pouring water into our cities. Despite practice drills to get ready for this situation, emergency crews are quickly overcome by the spreading flood waters. A lack of warning given to Valley residents causes great loss. In the space of a few minutes, water and debris are pouring into one of our major cities.
Best Case: Valley withstands another rainy season. Despite rain and snow melt, Valley communities are spared damage. A levy breaks in the delta, but no floods strike populated areas. The delta levy break provides yet another reminder to the state of the importance of shoring up our levy system. Construction and repairs begin in earnest along that system through our dry season, and crews work remarkably fast to prepare for oncoming storms. Another hard look is taken at the possibility of an Auburn Dam providing more flood protection.

Labels: 2007 year forecast, California Central Valley, Sacramento, San Joaquin