THE REDEVELOPMENT VAMPIRE IS DEAD.
Congratulations to the Institute of Justice law firm and to all of us who have been fighting Redevelopment. The Courts have supported what we have known for years: Redevelopment is a vampire that has been sucking the tax dollars out of our roads, schools, police and fire, hospitals, parks, our general funds and our lives for more than 60 years.

The Santa Rosa Neighborhood Coalition fought the City of Santa Rosa to stop the Gateways Redevelopment Project. Although we lost after a 3 year fight (2006-2009), we feel vindicated by this landmark decision by the California Supreme Court.

Calling over 5 square miles of our city blighted so that money can be diverted to bond brokers and crony developers is wrong. Now the courts have made it crystal clear: The city cannot steal our property tax dollars any longer.

Redevelopment is supported by cronies, by developers, by unions with connections (North Bay Labor Council), lawyers, private consultants, city staffers, the list goes on. All had their hands out for the money train. None had scruples enough to admit that diverting our hard-earned tax dollars into their pockets was wrong. Now the courts have spoken.

Redevelopment is dead.

What’s next? Infrastructure Tax Districts. They don’t have the power of eminent domain but they do have the power to divert transportation tax dollars into the hands of private developers for ‘Smart Growth’. This is what they mean when they say ‘Sustainable Communities.’

Sustainable Development is the Green Mask. Join the fight. Visit our websites for more information.

For the Steering Committee

Rosa Koire, ASA
Santa Rosa Neighborhood Coalition

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According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Michael Allen recently assaulted an opponent, Marc Levine.  They're both running for 10th District Assembly.  Michael Allen is the incumbent in the 7th District but redistricting removed him from his district, so he shopped around for one he thought he might win and picked the 10th.  Marc Levine is a San Rafael Councilperson.  He made a comment at a Democratic meeting (they're both Democrats) that he has lived in his district for a long time.  Michael Allen, according to the PD, 'stormed out' of the meeting.  But he came back.  Later he grabbed Levine by the elbow, hard, and told Levine that if he ever said anything like that again, Allen would 'kick his ass.' 

Ok, what a story, right?  The headline could read "Michael Allen Shows True Colors."  On Watch Sonoma County, the PD's online comment site, I commented about this.  And Michael Allen's attack dog came out after me.  And referred readers to a nasty piece of yellow journalism that the PD did on me when i reported Michael Allen to the FPPC last year for a conflict of interest. 

I looked back at the link, just for nostalgia's sake, and read the comments that attacked me and my partner, Kay.  As I read the viciousness I marvelled that so many people were willing to be lapdogs and operatives.  So many obedient toadies were willing to attack me---why? 

Did they get appointed to the Community Advisory Board or another commission?  Did they get a few bucks via a small contract?  Did they just get flattered about how important they are to the 'community?'  They've gone to their trainings.

It's so easy to be a good german.  How far will they go?  Do they know themselves?  Maybe they'll threaten to kick someone's ass.  Maybe they'll do it. 

We won't make it easy for them.  Have they forgotten?  This is America. 
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