Veto aids developer in dispute over land(Schwarzenegger)

SAC BEE ^ | October 9, 2005 | Clea Benson

[radar101]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sided Friday with a local developer who is embroiled in a fight with Yolo County over the future of the 17,300-acre Conaway Ranch. The governor vetoed Assembly Bill 1747, a measure that would have allowed a casino-owning tribe to share management of the land if the county is successful in buying it or taking it through eminent domain.

Developer Steve Gidaro, who bought Conaway Ranch for about $60 million last year, is fighting the county's efforts to take the land in court. He opposed AB 1747, written by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Davis, because it would have allowed the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians to join a consortium of local governments in determining the future of the undeveloped parcel.

The wealthy tribe, which owns Cache Creek Casino Resort, has offered to help finance acquisition of the land if the courts allow the county to wrest it from Gidaro and his development partners.

Both sides say they want to preserve the land and have accused each other of planning to jeopardize its habitat and water rights.

In his veto message, the governor said it was improper to allow tribes to wield power over land planning outside reservation property.

"This bill also presents significant policy questions regarding the proper role of a tribal sovereign when their partnership with a local government can lead to the taking of property for public purposes through eminent domain," the governor wrote.

Doug Elmets, spokesman for the Rumsey tribe, called the governor's veto "horrible" public policy.

[starfish923]

Arnie's right on this one.

[mtbopfuyn]

I like Arnold better every day.

[Amerigomag]

A correct call.

Sovereign nations have little business dictating local government policy.

Yolo County can still protect itself from unwanted development without ownership of the land.