Sacramento is a City enamored with "due process". To some, this is a negative. To others, slow and steady is comforting and preferred to a faster pace of life. With the election of a former all-star NBA point guard as Mayor, Kevin Johnson wants to "push the ball". So far we have seen a stalemate - slow the game down. Keep the scoring low. Win by forcing mistakes. Games like this are not fun to watch. Even the players grow tired.... unfortunately there is no "buzzer". The game goes on until one team quits or the Coach - voters and taxpayers - change the lineup. Don't quit - VOTE.

All good questions - all requiring much research and negotiation. My principle point is that the desperation to make a deal with the Kings using 50-years of parking fees is a faulty premise and, apparently, the only serious option the City has to offer. We are talking about a facility costing (conservatively) in excess at $400+ million. The Maloofs, I believe, will go where they can hold onto some semblance of their former business interests but really have very little to offer financially. The Anaheim deal revealed how weakened they have become. So even with $200 million from parking, AEG and the NBA would be expected to come up with the rest. They smell an opportunity to dictate terms unfavorable to taxpayers. So after all the work and sincere efforts from our Mayor, Kings fans, and local businesses, the story will continue to be the City negotiating from a position of weakness and being sniped at by folks here in Sac Press. Just like buying a car, we need to walk away to get a reasonable deal on the table - or not - the Kings may simply be "too expensive" to keep. The City is doing all the work in a public way and at a distinct disadvantage. We need to consider the reality that we cannot handle the debt load that AEG and the NBA and the Maloofs will require. Without the silliness of 50-year parking fees, we are already there but no one seems ready to admit it - we still want to believe in "miracles". But in this economy with a deadline only weeks away, we need to begin the process of moving on. The miracle has already happened when Luckenbill stole the Kings from Kansas City back in the 80's. It has been a good run but the price is too high. Small Arena Approach - What might "moving on" look like? The Maloofs and/or the NBA will pay off the $70 million debt before the courts will permit them to leave. Once paid off, ARCO/PBP becomes valuable property once again. Maybe that's all we need for future entertainment but I agree with those who argue for a "centerpiece entertainment arena" in the downtown rail yards. Our economy cannot handle $400 million but closer to $100 million might be realistic. The Stockton Arena seats 10,000 and cost $63 million in 2005 Let's relieve the pressure to do a bad deal immediately by negotiating the deal "off the clock" and without the insane luxury requirements of the NBA. We can put our energy into researching other sports and entertainment options using a smaller seating plan of 12-14,000. This could include arena football, minor league hockey, and designed to provide a more acoustic setting for most arena musical performances. Perhaps AEG or other entertainment corporations could be enticed to participate. Where Might the Funding Come From? - ARCO/PBP might be an interesting property for private investment or further consolidation of State Agencies into one large facility. The economy needs to continue to improve but without impossible deadlines and a more modest design, options open up. The tough requirement is letting go of the Kings. If the parking deal is the best chance we have, we need to pass. That's why a substitute plan is so important. We can have the entertainment arena in the downtown but on our terms not the Maloofs and not the NBA. Growth is good but only in a fiscally responsible way. This is one idea... there are others... let's move on.

Here are several key points that come to mind every time this "gotta have an NBA area" subject is brought up: (1) Fifty year agreements encourage abuse and escalation of fees. If the capitalist system depends upon free enterprise and competition, 50 year agreements are an invitation to corruption and exploitation. Immediately or gradually, we will all curse the day this deal was done as we pay $1 per every minute we park downtown. (2) If you can afford $200-$500 for a family to see a show at an arena, an additional $15-$25 for parking doesn't seem like much. But if you have a "movie theater ticket and a drink" budget, you go to where the parking is free or at least affordable. Vouchers help big time for these consumers. Read between the lines - The City negotiators are desperate to do this deal and if vouchers stand in the way, say good-bye to vouchers. (3) Does anyone foresee a time in our grandchildren's lives (or 50 years) when Sacramento becomes a center for corporate headquarters and major commerce? Not me. Given the current rules for NBA and major league sports arena financing, corporate underwriting is critical to the success of major league franchises. We don't have it now and won't have it in the future. (4) The best "naming rights" deal the Maloof Family could come up with was a company that sells rubber bands for $30 and is currently sliding into bankruptcy. 50 year contracts for jacked-up parking fees sound more "cow-town" to me than cow-bells at a Lakers game. (5) Silly money mortgages were sold to good people with dreams bigger than their ability to pay. Selling parking rights for all of downtown for 50 years smacks of the same "aspire to live a better life" crap used by vacation time share salespeople. (6) We are a "farm team" City of greatness. We love our AAA River Cats with tickets we can afford to support. We love Friday night High School football. Our list of "home-grown" great ball players in all sports rivals any city in the nation. Here we GROW great athletes with tolerance, a solid work ethic, and excellent coaching. Why can't we be proud of what we are and let other cities bankrupt themselves chasing "parking lot dreams". (7) Yes a big area would be good for local sports commentators. To move up to ESPN ststure, you have got to have major league sports in your town. So understand where Grant Napear and others are coming from - this is a jobs bill for them. Without the Kings, they would have to move to much more expensive cities to pursue their profession. How many of you are sports commentators? I rest my case. (8) Build an area we can afford, downtown, and fill it every night with 12,000 music fans, families who love the circus, monster truck smash-ups, ice-skating clowns, high school volleyball championships, evangelical Christians, political conventions, and (your favorite affordable event). (9) I would rather have 300 nights of hustle and bussle downtown, with affordable event tickets and parking, with restaurants and clubs, and music in the streets, more diversity, more fun, and fewer 7 foot millionaires. That's a town that pays its bills, raises great kids, and lives within its own skin.

Check out www.AccessSacramento.org for New Year's special programming times including a marathon of "Democracy Now with Amy Goodman" highlighted programs from throughout 2011.

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