City, County and Neighborhood News
Local News
Pocket Life July 2024
Find out what is happening in Pocket during the month of July!
Mob Mentality
A handful of residents near the Sacramento River levee portray themselves as victims, their safety imperiled by pedestrians, joggers and bicyclists. They want levee access closed.
Facts tell another story.
For decades, property owners along the river harassed, bullied and threatened anyone who walked on the levee in Pocket and Little Pocket. They even frightened flood prevention authorities.
Officials allowed illegal encroachments such as fences, stairs, retaining walls, plumbing and electrical gear to spread along the levee.
Out And About July 2024
Find out what is happening in Sacramento during the month of July!
River Rhetoric
Nearly 300 people tuned in for a recent virtual “community conversation” with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Residents expected an open dialogue and answers to questions about erosion-control efforts along the lower American River.
Instead, they got scripted presentations, a history lesson dating back to the Gold Rush, more than 20 charts and graphs— and were left with a lot of unanswered questions.
“We were disappointed there wasn’t any kind of dialogue,” homeowner Pete Spaulding says.
Pops Tops
The budget proposed by City Manager Howard Chan reflects drastic steps required to close a $66 million deficit.
Chan wants to cover $36 million of the gap with one-time funds—money that’s not part of the city’s predictable cash flow of sales and property taxes and fees. That means without cuts or new income next year, budget problems will continue.
I’m encouraged to see citizens get involved and tell City Council where public priorities lie. Speaking to your representative is essential.
One strategy for fiscal year 2024-25 calls for increasing income by raising fees for park programs and special events.
Pocket Life June 2024
Find out what is happening in Pocket during the month of June!
Out & About May 2024
Find out what is going on in Sacramento during the month of May!
Inside Pitch
Residents near the Sacramento River who want to block public access have a big advantage over the 500,000 or so people who will benefit from a new levee bike trail.
The residents have a good lawyer.
One attorney working for property owners shouldn’t matter. After all, the rest of us are represented by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, a state agency whose mission is to serve public interests.
But that’s not how it works.
Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act tell a more complex story. For the past three years, a lawyer hired by property owners near the levee built a relationship with flood board officials.