The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed the strong mayor initiative going before primary election voters next summer. Following study by a task force, the business association voiced support for an executive mayor with more power than the current city charter allows. The initiative's passage would change the form of city government that was established in 1921, according to the chamber. "The city of Sacramento deserves a government structure that is effective and accountable," said Matt Mahood, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, in a press conference at chamber headquarters. The press conference was held about a week after several local u

In a sign that the opposing camp to the “strong mayor” initiative has significant union support, three local union leaders turned out for a Tuesday press conference to support a new lawsuit against the initiative.  The group SAVE Sacramento, which is chaired by local union leader Matt Kelly, is publicizing a lawsuit that aims to take the strong mayor initiative off the June 2010 ballot.   The plaintiff in the lawsuit is Bill Camp, the executive secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council. Camp filed the lawsuit as a private citizen — he is not representing the labor council in the legal battle. The defendants named in the lawsuit are the city of Sacramento, the Sacramento City Counc

 A group that opposes the “strong mayor” initiative says that a citizen is challenging the initiative through a lawsuit. The group SAVE Sacramento announced it will hold a press conference about the lawsuit Tuesday at 10 a.m. at City Hall. Detailed information about the lawsuit was unavailable at press time.  Mayor Kevin Johnson backs the initiative, which would provide him with many new powers. Matt Kelly, executive secretary of the Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, talked about the lawsuit Monday. Kelly, who is affiliated with SAVE, said the plaintiff is Bill Camp, executive secretary for the Sacramento Central Labor Council. He added that Camp is suing as

Citizens will get to present their views about a proposal for a new arena and entertainment center to Mayor Kevin Johnson’s task force, the mayor said. His remarks came at a news conference Johnson held Thursday in Old Sacramento to introduce the panel’s members. Community feedback will be part of the review process before the task force makes its recommendations to the City Council, he said. The 12-member task force is tentatively planning to hold public meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month, said Chris Lehane, task force co-chairman and partner in Fabiani & Lehane, a public relations firm. The task force includes real estate, finance, and communications executives. Pu