No more politcs as usual in Fremont

[ link to Tri-CIty Beat blog post ]  [ read in PDF format ]

Hello Members of the Press,

Perhaps you've heard some think the squashed Oakland A's stadium idea should come back to Fremont - so that those who need it - can see Fremont be "put on the map." Well, not so. And not once the very keyed-in members of the Fremont Citizens Network open up their treasure trove of facts - that will have the discerning citizens of Fremont protesting again, and have the once-already burned A's owner, Lew Wolfe, and MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig laughing at the fantasy proposal Fremont paid $100K of tax dollars to create .

Attached is an announcement you don't want to miss. Things are about to get VERY interesting in Fremont! Stay tuned to the Fremont Citizens Network!

Janet FitzGerald

“NO MORE POLITICS AS USUAL IN FREMONT!”

Fremont, CA (Jan. 25, 2010) – The Fremont Citizens Network (FCN), a fast-growing grass roots organization (www.fremontcitizensnetwork.org), created as a forum to foster education, debate, and discussion about City-wide issues, announced a development that will change politics-as-usual in Fremont.

FCN President Kathy McDonald explained: “In light of recent events, including the City's surprise expenditure of $100,000 of our tax dollars to prepare a sales pitch for Major League Baseball; the proposed near-quadrupling of the Redevelopment Fund cap during this historic recession; and the lack of proactive and comprehensive economic development outreach to the business community, we have concluded our efforts for City-wide reform will be more efficiently accomplished by directly engaging in the political process.”

By consensus, the leadership of the Fremont Citizens Network has decided to run two highly-organized and well-funded candidates for this Fall’s City Council elections.

“This will be the first time, in a long time, that Fremont will have viable candidates who will not blindly vote with the Mayor," stated Mrs. McDonald.  

The “talk on the streets” and blogs has also included the possibility of FCN placing an alternative land use proposal on the Fall ballot.  If true, this would certainly shake up what many have complained about for years – that of an entrenched political machine, not serving the interests of ordinary Fremont citizens very well, according to the very diverse people of FCN.

The Fremont Citizens Network Steering Committee also announced it will continue to provide further documentation of several interrelated issues of vital importance to Fremont residents and taxpayers.  FCN leadership has said it will reveal exactly how the government of Fremont prioritizes the spending of citizens’ tax dollars, promoting indiscriminate development, and diverting property taxes to the mysterious Redevelopment Fund.  They, and others have feared this fund is often overused to essentially create "pet projects" for the City Council at the expense of services to residents and schools.  In addition, FCN will post on its website (www.fremontcitizensnetwork.org) current academic research on the economics of sports stadiums built across the U.S. to expose the economic burden that they have become to their host cities. 

“The City would prefer these facts get glossed over with a lot of fluff and hoopla that they think sells, but the increasingly inquisitive citizens of Fremont are wising up fast,” said Glenn Lee, FCN’s VP of Communications. “We hope the media will stay tuned for all the facts that follow the fluff,” he added.

NOTE TO PRESS: To arrange for an interview with FCN  Pres. Kathy McDonald,

Contact: Janet FitzGerald, FCN