Laserfiche WebLink
2 • <br />PRESS CONFERENCES from page 1. <br />Events were held in Sacramento, San Diego, <br />Oakland, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Merced, Palm <br />Springs and Bakersfield. Presided over by elected <br />officials, the message that the state cannot balance <br />its budget on the backs of local government was <br />heard all over California and carried by television, <br />radio and print media. <br />Here is a rundown of the day's events, attendees <br />and press coverage: <br />............................... <br />Merced <br />Police, faire chiefs and sheriffs representing <br />thirteen cities in the Central Valley formed the <br />backdrop for the Merced press conference. Also <br />attending were city officials, mayors, council mem- <br />bers, county supervisors and special district repre- <br />sentatives from the County and cities of Merced, <br />Newman, Modesto, Clovis, Los Banos, Livingston <br />and Lodi. <br />Bay Area <br />More than 100 people attended the Bay Area <br />event in Oakland. Attendees represented 33 public <br />agencies, including 29 cities from Fairfield to <br />Campbell. <br />Speakers included League President John <br />Russo; California State Association of Counties' <br />(CSAC) President Tim Smith; Oakland Mayor Jerry <br />Brown; Bill McCammon, President of the California <br />Fire Chiefs Association; Menlo Park Police Chief <br />Chris Boyd; Chief Craig Bowen with the San Ramon <br />Valley Fire Protection District; Alameda County <br />Supervisor Keith Carson; and dozens of members <br />from the International Association of Firefighters, <br />Local 55 (Oakland) and the Oakland Police Officers <br />Association. <br />Local TV, radio and print media covered the <br />event. The local FOX, ABC and NBC affiliates, <br />KRON and KQED independent TV stations, and <br />Univision sent cameras. KGO, KCBS and KPFA <br />radio were on hand and the San Francisco <br />Chronicle, Oakland Tribune and the twice- weekly <br />Montclarion (Knight - Ridder) sent reporters as well. <br />Quotes: <br />"There is no defensible reason to propose such <br />disproportionate cuts." —Tim Smith, Sonoma <br />County supervisor and president of CSAC. <br />"What does the state provide that is as impor- <br />tant as the work done by the [police and <br />firefighters] here today ?" Oakland City Attorney <br />and League of California Cities President John <br />Russo <br />The conference was presided over by Merced <br />Fire Chief Ken Mitten. Also speaking on behalf of <br />the LOCAL Coalition were: Merced Supervisor Jerry <br />O'Banion, Merced Sheriff and Coroner Mark Pazin, <br />Merced Council Member Rick Osorio, Merced <br />Mayor Hub Walsh and Merced County Mosquito <br />Abatement District General Manager Allan Inman. <br />Television, radio and print journalists all covered <br />the event, generating stories in the Merced Sun - <br />Star and on several newscasts. <br />Quotes: <br />"We are not taking any money from you. So <br />please don't take any money from us." — Merced <br />City Councilman Rick Osorio <br />"Do not balance your budget on our backs." — <br />Merced Fire Chief Ken Mitten <br />Sacramento <br />A crowd of approximately 50 people gathered at <br />the Sacramento County Administration Building to <br />hear Sacramento County Supervisor Muriel <br />Johnson, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, <br />Manager David Brown of the Sacramento -Yolo <br />Mosquito and Vector Control District, Sacramento <br />County Undersheriff Michael Smith, Sacramento <br />Police Chief Albert Najera, Davis Mayor Susie Boyd, <br />Roseville Fire Chief Ken Wagner and Sacramento <br />Supervisor Roger Dickenson. <br />The rally concluded with the crowd enthusiasti- <br />cally chanting, "Local, Local, Local..." led by Super- <br />visor Muriel Johnson. <br />Continued on Page 10 <br />Visit the League's Official Web Site " "www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 9 <br />