Mariko Yamada, Democrat for State Assembly

**CABALDON’S PET YARBROUGH PROJECT BEFORE WEST SACRAMENTO CITY COUNCIL THIS WEDNESDAY HE WILL NOT RECUSE HIMSELF DESPITE $39,800 IN CONTRIBUTIONS**

Memo Re: Follow the Money in the 8th AD

A group of West Sacramento citizens has requested Mayor Cabaldon recuse himself from an upcoming vote on ASB Properties’ Yarbrough development, a planned high-income golf course community that would be the city’s southernmost development. Cabaldon has refused to do so.

ASB Properties, led by Republican developer David Stroud is West Sacramento’s largest residential developer and a major bundler of campaign contributions to Mayor Cabaldon’s Assembly campaign. The network includes:

Stroud himself has given $7200 to Cabaldon (the maximum contribution limit for the June 3rd Primary is $3600, Cabaldon has squeezed donors for early contributions to his general election in order to inflate his cash-on-hand numbers and intimidate opposing candidates and interest groups).
Neva Hale, accountant of ASB has given Cabaldon $7200
ASB partners Frank Andrews and Helen Andrews, names that will be familiar to Solano County residents each gave $3600, then in addition Helen added $400 to the total, Frank $1400.
B&L Properties of Fairfield, founded by Billy Yarbrough, and for whom the Yarbrough project is named, also gave Cabaldon $7200
Billy’s wife Louise Yarbrough gave $7200
The Yarbrough’s son-in-law Anthony Russo gave an additional $2000.

ASB CURRENT TOTAL SO FAR: $39,800

In a West Sacramento News Ledger article, Cabaldon argues that campaign contributions never have influenced his decisions or those decisions of any of his fellow councilmen. Leading up to the November 7th, 2006 election however, Cabaldon sent out a hit piece accusing three political rivals, including city councilman Mark Johannesson as being “paid” by special interests. Apparently influence peddling only exists when it works in favor of the Mayor.

West Sacramento is a working class community with the highest rates of social services usage in Yolo County and the region’s highest rate of seniors living in poverty. There are needs to address here other than golf, yet our city’s most visible leader spends a lot of his time courting well-heeled big shots and in exchange they finance his political ambition. Why are Republican developers giving so much money to a self-proclaimed “green” Democrat?

City of West Sacramento

Regular Meeting of the West Sacramento City Council and
Members of the West Sacramento Redevelopment Agency
April 16, 2008, 2008 Agenda

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM:

PW & CD / Development Services
Presentation and discussion regarding Yarbrough General Plan amendment, rezone, Southport Framework Plan amendment and development agreement in the Southwest Village of Southport. (Patek)

Comment: The Yarbrough Project, proposed by ASB Properties, is a large project that is under consideration within the southwest village of Southport. The project proposal includes development of 3,004 residential units, an 18-hole public golf course, mixed-use village core, lake system, and other recreational facilities. This is a workshop to present and discuss the requested amendments, environmental analysis, and terms of the draft development agreement.

Recommendation: That the Council allow a staff presentation on the project, take public comment, and the City Council provide comments and direction to staff for the public hearing which is tentatively scheduled for May 14, 2008.