Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "district 1"

Funding 'swap' jumpstarts long-awaited south area project

2012-01-11T06:31:05Z

The plan to construct a new I-5 interchange at Cosumnes River Boulevard – a key component to the 75,000-acre Delta Shores development project – got a financial jumpstart Tuesday.

The City Council voted unanimously to swap funds between two long-term construction programs to get the new interchange started – a project that the city has had in the works for more than a decade.

“I’ve been bugging people about getting this project started for 13 years,” City Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell said Tuesday. “I’m just so happy it’s going to happen.”

The Cosumnes River Boulevard project will extend Cosumnes River Boulevard from Franklin Boulevard to an intersection with Freeport Boulevard – essentially creating a “punch-through,” according to Pannell – and will add a new interchange for I-5.

The project is located within District 7, but the nearest neighborhood that would benefit is Meadowview, which is in Pannell’s District 8.

The interchange will be a gateway to the long-awaited Delta Shores project, a development project with a combination of retail, commercial and housing, planned for the Meadowview area in South Sacramento.

The punch-through project, including the I-5 interchange, is estimated to cost $95 million. According to the Delta Shores financing plan approved by the city in 2009, the developer is committed to $52 million of that cost, and the city’s portion is about $43 million.

The city has a combination of state, federal and local transportation funds allocated to the project, according to a city staff report, but the funds are not immediately available – and the current economy prevents the city from getting the usual bond financing for up-front cash needed to begin construction.

The solution? Swap funds between two construction projects – one that has more funding than it needs right now, for the promise of future funding that is slated for the other.

The Richards Boulevard/I-5 project currently has a set-aside budget of $13,363,000 – but only $4,265,000 is needed between now and 2015 to complete the environmental, planning, design and approval processes for that project.

“We recommend moving the remaining $9,098,000 to the Cosumnes River Boulevard project to allow the project to advance to construction,” Sheri Smith, project manager for the Economic Development Department, told council members Tuesday.

The move would allow the Cosumnes River Boulevard project to move forward, Smith said, and a construction contract could be awarded as early as summer.

The other side of the funding swap includes moving the remaining amount currently allocated for the Cosumnes River Boulevard project – an estimated $20 million in future State Transportation Authority funds – to the Richards Boulevard/I-5 project.

That move will reduce the construction funding gap for the Richards Boulevard/I-5 project from a $50 million gap to a $30 million gap, Smith said.

“I want to make sure people know this is a two-win situation,” City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said Tuesday. “It’s good for the Cosumnes River project area, but it is also good for the River District project. They both win here.”

Ashby was the council representative for the River District – formerly in District 1, where the Richards Boulevard/I-5 project is located – until redistricting moved the project boundaries into District 5.

According to the city staff report, the funding swap “jump-starts” the Delta Shores project, which is estimated to generate $3.8 million in sales tax and $5.3 million in property tax annually when completed.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

As the dust settles, City Council adjusts to new districts

2011-09-07T23:59:16Z

With one last vote Tuesday, the Sacramento City Council approved a map that seals council district boundaries for the next 10 years, but the work of redistricting isn’t finished just yet.

“The new map goes into effect Oct. 6, which is only 30 days after the final council vote,” said Scott Mende, principal planner with the Community Development Department. “After that, each council member has a different group of constituents.”

New district lines for the city and new constituents for council members will have a ripple effect throughout city administration, and Mende said city staff has a lot of work to do to be prepared for it.

The first step, Mende said, is a “massive outreach” to council members and all affected departments – such as the budget office, planning department and parks department – to help department staff know what impacts will come from the map changes.

“Council members usually take a strong interest in what goes on in their district,” Mende said. “They’ll want to know what they are going to be seeing, as far as projects that have been started or are still in planning stages (in each district).”

Staff from the city’s Neighborhood Services department will meet with neighborhood associations and community activists to discuss the new district maps, and the new map information will be posted in the newspaper and on the city website.

Although each of the city’s eight council districts will change in one way or another, the council member who will see the most dramatic changes to his district is Steve Cohn.

“I’m losing half of my (current) district and gaining a different half,” Cohn said Tuesday. “I clearly have the most significant changes happening to my District, so I’m starting (my transition) right away.”

With the new map boundaries, Cohn’s District 3 will now include a portion of what was Councilwoman Angelique Ashby’s District 1, including the railyards and the River District.

Cohn said he is planning to do a community event with Ashby sometime in the next 30 days and a district tour to meet new constituents and become more familiar with the projects under way in the areas new to his district.

“I’ll be doing something similar with (Councilwoman) Sandy Sheedy,” Cohn said, “but in reverse. Instead of gaining something from her district, I am giving up a portion of my district to her.”

Sheedy is already familiar with the Ben Ali and Hagginwood neighborhoods, which the new map puts in her district, Cohn said, however “Swanston Estates will be new to her,” so he’s planning to “show her around” and introduce her to the residents in that neighborhood.

Cohn is also organizing town hall-style meetings with Councilmen Kevin McCarty and Rob Fong to discuss district changes that affect them.

Ashby has the biggest changes to her district in terms of population adjustments – her district loses nearly 45,000 people – but the boundary line movement is not as drastic as Cohn’s or Rob Fong’s districts.

“The question for me,” Ashby said Tuesday, “is, ‘How do I let people in the new District 1 know they are still in District 1, and how do I let the people that were in District 1 know that they are now in District 3 or District 4?”

Ashby said she plans to use her strong social media presence – including platforms such as Facebook, Yahoo Groups, email lists and her personal website – to reach out to constituents.

Still, Ashby said, “there is no substitute“ for her and her staff to go out into the community, take the new council members around, make introductions, and get in touch with people who are in leadership roles in the community.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the last year,” Ashby said. “I want to very carefully hand that off.”

Ashby said she has “no doubt that my colleagues will see things through,” but she plans to stay engaged with all communities during the transition period because, “I would never just turn around and walk away.”

Mende said he and his staff are ready to assist council members during the transition period.

“If (council members) want us to send out information for them, we’ll do that. Or, if they ask for tools or access to tools to help them get the word out, we’ll do that,” Mende said. “We’re available to help them in whatever ways they deem appropriate.”

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

LGBT community weighs in on redistricting

2011-07-21T01:46:49Z

When is comes to redistricting, the LGBT community has a lot to say about being recognized as a legitimate community of interest and working toward getting the central city united into one council district.

“Unless you see yourself represented, it’s hard to see yourself in the world,” said Steve Hansen, a community activist and a member of the former Citizens Advisory Committee on Redistricting.

Hansen and Rosanna Herber, chairperson of the LGBT Redistricting Committee, said members of the LGBT community worked tirelessly over the last several months to be recognized as a community of interest and be given a stake in the process. Their goal has been to finally see the central city united.

“We are a very diverse city,” Hansen said, “and our strength comes from that diversity.”

The LGBT Redistricting Committee was made up of representatives of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, the Stonewall Democratic Club and other LGBT community leaders.

Herber said the group attended advisory committee meetings and testified before the committee at every opportunity.

“The common theme (of our testimony) was that a majority of our community live in the urban core and we don’t want to have it split any longer,” Herber said.

There are approximately 31,000 people in the grid which is shared by three council districts, Hansen said, and “(the people in the grid) have have a lot more in common with each other than the people in Natomas (who share a district) have with them.”

The standard of “one person, one vote” includes the notion of not diluting the electoral power of groups of people that have historically been subject to discrimination. By splitting the central city, Hansen said, that’s exactly what happens.

“The neighborhoods in the central city have been sliced and diced so much,” Hansen said. “The people there have no real electoral power.”

People in the grid share a common geography, a common cultural landscape – and common issues, Hansen said. People in other areas ignore those issues because they aren’t as affected by them.

Homelessness is one issue that Hansen said has been allowed to persist in the grid for so long because the majority of voters in each of the three districts that contain part of the core live outside that central area.

“Ultimately, none of the people who vote have any skin in the game,” Hansen said. “As long as the problem stays out of North Natomas, East Sacramento, Land Park or Curtis Park, people are perfectly fine with that.”

Hansen said that, although he feels the elected representatives do try, “ultimately their concerns are going to be concerns from where the majority of the (voters) are.”

“It’s political economy,” Hansen said.

From the LGBT point of view, it is important to have the ability to elect the candidate of their choice, Herber said.

Historically, there has never been an openly LGBT person elected to the City Council and Herber said, if there is ever going to be one, “we have to have our support united.”

“It’s one thing to have someone relay your concerns, but it’s better when they share your concerns,” Hansen said.

The advisory committee recommended four maps to City Council for redrawing district lines. Three of the maps unite the central city into one district.

“In the past, it doesn’t seem anyone was held responsible for redistricting, so we got lines that weren’t necessarily fair, they reflected the whims of the council,” Hansen said.

During the process, Hansen said his role on the advisory committee was as “a person who cares about the city,” and not as a representative of any community or organization.

“I was primarily concerned about the legitimacy of the process,” Hansen said. “I challenged the committee to remember that the public is watching us and they would hold us accountable.”

Hansen said that, after hearing all the public testimony, the advisory committee understood that there wasn’t a good justification for the central city to be broken up.

“We had to keep asking, ‘What’s best for the city? How do we do right by our communities?’ “ Hansen said.

Sara Freid, Interim Executive Director for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, said the response from the advisory committee to their testimony throughout the redistricting process was “positive and encouraging.”

“I feel like they listened to us,” she added. “It’s nice to be heard as a community.”

The LGBT Redistricting Committee will go to City Council Tuesday and participate in the public discussion on redistricting again, Herber said.

“We are going to ask the council to do what the advisory committee did,” Herber said. “Respect the LGBT community as a community of interest and see where our community lives, and keep the central core together.”

Hansen agreed.

“It’s the fair and just thing to do to make sure that the LGBT community – as a legitimate community of interest – is not just recognized by the process, but respected by it,” Hansen said.

The City Council has until about Aug. 26 to decide where the new district lines will be drawn.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Create an online redistricting map

2011-04-09T01:21:09Z

Anyone in the city can use the city’s online tools to carve up the eight City Council districts and present their redistricting ideas to city leaders.

The mapmaking tool for the 2011 redistricting process is free to use, and the city welcomes maps from residents.

Maps developed and submitted by citizens will be shared with the City Council, the council’s redistricting advisory committee and the general public, said Maria MacGunigal, the city’s Geographic Information Systems manager.

Every decade, the city rearranges its council districts by applying U.S. Census data.The reordered districts should all have the same population, according to city staff.

“The primary objective of redistricting is to balance population,” MacGunigal said.

Another concern is the makeup of the districts: The balanced districts must not disenfranchise various groups of people, MacGunigal said. Issues related to disenfranchisement of racial groups were discussed at a Feb. 28 Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting.

The deadline to turn in maps to the city is May 16. All maps must be designed using the online tools – the city is not using paper maps, MacGunigal said. The City Council will make final decisions on redistricting in September.

The city worked with a consultant, Environmental Systems Research Institute, to set up the redistricting tool. ESRI created redistricting software, MacGunigal said, and city staff helped set up its design, function and delivery to citizens.

The online tools are sophisticated and give users the ability to share their maps with others.

“You can share your plan, you can create a group and invite users of the tool to participate with you,” MacGunigal said.

Users can work on the maps in sessions by saving their online work and returning to it – they do not have to create the map in one sitting.

The Census data shows that the city’s population rose from 407,018 in 2000 to 466,488 in 2010. With the city’s population at 466,488, each district must have 58,311 people.

District 1 is the largest, with 106,729 people. Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are relatively close in size, ranging in population from about 46,000 people to about 53,000 people. District 4, represented by Councilman Rob Fong, has 45,703 people, making it the least-populated district in the city.

The Sacramento Press tried out the online tools Friday for illustration purposes and to help citizens understand the process of making your own map.

First, a free account must be created.

Next, read the city’s instructions on how to use the online tools to cut up the districts.

The “create” tab is where the redistricting action takes place. Using the tools here, you can move pieces of one district to another district. Remember, the districts will need to each have 58,311 people.

Divvying up the population in the city is like playing with a Rubik’s Cube. It’s not quick or easy to bring all the districts to the same population numbers. When a user moves a piece of one district into another, the population may bring one district to the 58,311 goal but make another district much larger than 58,000.

Here is the existing map of District 1 before The Sacramento Press took a stab at it.

And here is the map of District 1 after The Sacramento Press brought it down to 58,313 people. (It was too tricky to bring it down to 58,311 on a journalism deadline.)

The Sacramento Press test map shows that it is a time-consuming process. Once a user lowers or raises a population to 58,311, the other districts may fall out of balance. While Ashby’s district was reduced to 58,313, District 2 now has too many people, with 80,119 people.

In addition, The Sacramento Press did not account for any of the crucial demographic data and how the map would affect neighborhoods. The online tool allows users to see the racial breakdown of how their maps affect communities.

City staff will hold training sessions next week that will demonstrate how to use the redistricting software. Three one-hour training sessions will be held at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., Monday, April 11, at La Familia Center Computer Lab, 5523 34th St.

Training sessions will also be held at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, at North Natomas Library Computer Lab, 4660 Via Ingoglia.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Council members discuss Central City

2010-12-16T02:42:44Z

Sacramento’s Central City has received a lot of media attention for shootings and muggings in recent months. However, the area is also frequently in the spotlight because of large-scale development projects, such as the downtown Railyards or George Karpaty’s trio of businesses on K Street.

The Sacramento Press recently interviewed three City Council members to learn about their plans for the Central City. Councilwoman Angelique Ashby and Councilmen Steve Cohn and Rob Fong shared their priorities for the different parts of the Central City they represent.

Ashby’s portion of the area includes the downtown Railyards, K Street, Old Sacramento, Alkali Flat and the River District. Ashby mentioned the Railyards and K Street Mall as examples of key development sites in her district.

“Some of the best opportunities in the city lie in the downtown portion of District 1,” she said.

As an elected official, she said she wants to help avoid hurdles in the development process. “In my position, I can help make sure they get those projects done in a timely manner,” she said.

Ashby also said she wants to be a behind-the-scenes facilitator for the various groups involved with projects in the area. Stakeholder groups involved with Central City development projects, such as community members, government agencies and environmental organizations, need a “point person” at City Hall, she said, adding that she wants to take on that role.

Public safety in her district, and throughout the city, is a key priority, Ashby said.

Cohn, too, emphasized public safety when asked about his work in District 3. His section of the Central City includes Midtown and part of downtown. His district’s stretch of K Street starts at 16th Street and heads east.

He pointed out the shooting death of a 24-year-old that occurred after a Second Saturday Art Walk event in September. Cohn also mentioned that the neighborhood has bar and nightlife issues. He said he wants neighborhoods and businesses to work together to solve public safety and public nuisance issues in Midtown. In his view, Midtown’s development has been a success, he said.

“I want to make sure it can continue to succeed and not be a victim of its own success,” he said.

On a different topic, he said work is under way to enhance Sutter’s Landing Park on the northeast edge of Midtown.

Meanwhile, Fong said he was excited about the R Street streetscape project in his district. Fong’s piece of the Central City includes part of Midtown and downtown. The street improvements will make the street more pedestrian-friendly and inviting, he said.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the effort to revamp the street with new lighting and parking enhancements was held in September. The street will be remodeled from 10th to 13th streets.

Click on the following links to view maps of City Council Districts 1, 3 and 4.

Learn more about some of Ashby’s priorities for North and South Natomas here.

Photos of Cohn and Fong by Brandon Darnell. Photo of Ashby by David Watts Barton.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Fong, Schenirer sworn into office

2010-12-01T05:43:14Z

The Sacramento City Council underwent a makeover Tuesday night when two new council members were officially sworn into office. The swearing in of Jay Schenirer and Darrell Fong is the last step in the City Council’s changing of the guard.

Schenirer’s ceremony had an element of star quality because state Senate President Darrell Steinberg administered the oath of office for the new councilman.

Angelique Ashby, the other new council member, was sworn into office Nov. 23 to represent District 1.

Schenirer replaced Lauren Hammond as the District 5 council member, while Fong took the District 7 reins from Robbie Waters.

Also on Tuesday night, Steve Cohn was sworn in for a fifth term as the city councilman for District 3.

Schenirer thanked his family and his volunteers, among others, for their help with his campaign.

“I so appreciate all the work that you did. (And) all the sacrifices that you made, taking time away from your family to help me get here,” he said, addressing his volunteers. “And I promise not to let you down.”

After the swearing-in ceremony, Steinberg told The Sacramento Press why he read the oath of office to Schenirer.

“I’ve been a longtime friend and supporter of Jay,” Steinberg said. “He gave me the honor of swearing him in. I was just so thrilled for him; he’s going to be great.”

Steinberg mentioned that he served on the Sacramento City Council from 1992 to 1998. “I also came out (to the swearing in event) because, as a former city council member, this never gets old ... It’s a wonderful part of democracy and tradition. I just wanted to honor all the new members and returning members who are serving the city.”

Fong’s identical twin brother, Derrick Fong, swore in the new District 7 council member. Derrick Fong is the board chairman of the Mikuni Japanese Restaurant Group.

Darrell Fong thanked former City Councilman Robbie Waters after taking his new District 7 chair. Waters and Fong ran against each other in June, but Waters lost the race to a runoff between Fong and Ryan Chin. Waters supported Fong in the November runoff.

“I want to acknowledge Robbie Waters,” Fong said. “Without you, I wouldn’t be sitting here. So, thank you again for your public service.”

Fong peppered his speech with jokes, telling his aunt in the audience that she was not allowed to dance in front of the City Council members. She respected his request.

Derrick Fong said outside the meeting that he and his brother would have wanted their late father to be there. “He would have been so proud of my brother in terms of the service he’s going to render,” Derrick Fong said.

Cohn was sworn in for a fifth time by City Clerk Shirley Concolino. “I’m still very excited and very enthusiastic after all these years,” he said.

With Darrell Fong and Rob Fong in office, there are now two Fongs on the City Council. Darrell Fong recently said that people would be able to tell them apart because Rob Fong is “tall and better-looking.”

As he did last week with Ashby, Councilman Kevin McCarty required Schenirer and Fong to don propeller-head caps as a form of initiation.

All photos by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Residents celebrate Tretheway's community service

2010-10-19T05:45:48Z

Supporters of outgoing Sacramento Councilman Ray Tretheway gathered in North Natomas on Monday night to celebrate Tretheway’s nine consecutive years on the City Council.

Tretheway, who was first elected in 2001, lost the District 1 re-election race in June to his opponent Angelique Ashby. He will leave his City Council seat in late November, but will keep his position as executive director of the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

More than 100 people turned out for Monday night’s event held at the North Natomas Library. District 1 includes North and South Natomas and downtown’s Alkali Flat.

“We are knitted as a community,” Tretheway told his supporters and constituents Monday night. “There’s no doubt about it. There’s something special in Natomas ... It has been an honor to serve you and to stand side-by-side with you in so many different endeavors.”

Tretheway sat with former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, a Natomas resident herself, as several of his constituents praised him for his community work.

Nick Avdis, a District 1 resident who is active in the Valley View Acres Community Association, said Tretheway urged him to get involved with his community. Avdis said Tretheway is a neighbor. “You stand with us because you are one of us,” he said.

Jerry Way, the city’s transportation director, described Tretheway as “a man of great integrity.”

Fargo said she’s worked with Tretheway on local issues since 1980. Their shared work included planting trees, cleaning up graffiti and building parks, she said.

“He’ll be missed, but he’s not going too far away,” Fargo told the crowd. “He’s still going to be living out here and working on things, and planting trees. And he’ll still be your friend.”

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Councilmember-Elect Angelique Ashby Launches "Community Connections"

2010-08-21T02:22:56Z

Angelique Ashby Announces Series of Community Forums Throughout District One

It's become common, often expected, for politicians to have goals for the first 100 days in elected office. But what about goals for the 100 days prior to taking office?

On Monday, Angelique Ashby commemorated the 100 day countdown by unveiling Community Connections, a series of district-wide meetings seeking ideas, thoughts, input and experiences related to the challenges and successes throughout the region.

Ashby was elected to Sacramento's City Council on June 8 with 51% of the vote in a dramatic three-way race, unseating incumbent councilmember Ray Tretheway after nearly ten years in office in District One (Alkali Flat, Downtown, The River District / Richards Boulevard, North and South Natomas, and Gardenland-Northgate). Since Ashby secured over 50% of the vote, there is no need for a run-off in November. However, according to the city's charter, her term does not begin until after November's General Election. Her four year term begins November 23.

"It has its advantages," Ashby said about the delay. "On one hand, it's a little challenging because a lot of folks think I'm in office already and we're full of energy and can't wait to start taking care of the peoples' business. But on the plus side, it gives us the opportunity to work towards a smooth transition and to make sure our plans and partnerships are solid."

"My commitment to you as residents and business owners in District One is to represent the District's needs and goals and to maintain the highest quality of life standards possible in each of our diverse and unique neighborhoods," Ashby wrote in her announcement. "Community Connections is an opportunity for collaborative input and dialogue in formulating a comprehensive plan that seeks to strengthen our community and our neighborhoods."

Comprised of three meetings around three central themes -- Public Safety, Economic Vitality, and Quality of Life -- information gathered at the forums "will be used as a guideline identifying key areas of concern in District One and will provide the community support needed to direct the efforts of my four years as the elected councilmember in this community," Ashby said. "I need everyone's insight, support and partnership to set us off in the right direction from Day One."

The methodology Ashby will be using is not at all new to her. "It's actually the same formula I use in my work," Ashby said, referring to her career as a consultant designing and implementing programs and service delivery systems in the social services field. "In fact, we used the same process back in 2008 when we formed the Natomas Crime & Safety Leadership Team." A forum of nearly four dozen community leaders convened to prioritize issues, brainstorm solutions, and choose a team of leaders to advance the action plan that had the group's endorsement. "We accomplished all five of our objectives in just one year's time. It's a proven system and I have no doubt we will be able to put it to work for us again."

The meetings are open to the public and scheduled as follows:

1: Public Safety
Thursday, September 9, 6 to 8 PM
Homecoming Apartments, 4800 Kokomo Drive

2: Economic Vitality
Date, Time & Location To Be Announced Soon -- Check for Updates

3: Quality of Life
Wednesday, October 27, 6 to 8 PM
South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Road

Election results final, runoffs in two City Council races

2010-07-01T04:37:36Z

The final Sacramento City Council election results did not yield any last-minute statistical miracles.

Furthermore, a Sacramento city clerk’s predictions about City Council runoffs proved true: The leading two candidates in Districts 5 and 7 will compete in a Nov. 2 runoff election.

The county elections office finished counting ballots from the June 8 election on Wednesday. Candidates Jay Schenirer and Patrick Kennedy will run for the District 5 seat, while candidates Darrell Fong and Ryan Chin will square off in District 7.

Incumbent District 1 City Councilman Ray Tretheway lost his battle against challenger Angelique Ashby — just barely.

A City Council candidate needs at least 50 percent of the vote plus one vote to win. The final count shows Ashby with 50.99 percent of the vote. Tretheway trailed with 41 percent.

Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno noted that the county elections office will need to invalidate the 25 write-in votes cast in the District 1 race. (There were no official write-in candidates in any of the City Council races, Mizuno said. However, some people wrote in names anyway.) Once those write-in votes are removed from the record, Ashby’s win will be more secure, according to Mizuno.

Incumbent Councilman Robbie Waters lost the District 7 race, while incumbent Councilman Steve Cohn won the District 3 competition.

Brad Buyse, Sacramento County’s campaign services manager, said it usually takes the county three weeks to certify election results. This year’s count was conducted in “a normal amount of time,” he said. He pointed out that state law gives the county 28 consecutive days after Election Day to certify election results.

The county should have data Thursday on how many ballots total it counted for the June 8 election, according to Buyse.

Now that the ballots are counted, Sacramento County Registrar of Voters Jill Lavine will officially certify the election results and send the data to the California Secretary of State’s office, Buyse said.

In response to questions, Mizuno checked voter turnout rates in 2006 and this year for City Council Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7. She said the turnout rate was about the same in both election years.

Voter turnout in District 1 was about 30 percent this year, compared to about 32 percent in 2006, according to Mizuno. In the 2006 District 1 election, Tretheway ran unopposed and the number of registered voters was lower, she said.

In District 3, about 40 percent of registered voters cast ballots in both 2006 and 2010, Mizuno said.

Roughly 32 percent of registered voters turned out for the June election in District 5. In 2006, about 35 percent of voters went to the polls.

About 42 percent of voters cast ballots in District 7 in June, while 41 percent voted in 2006, according to Mizuno.

Photo by Suzanne Hurt.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Councilman Ray Tretheway concedes District 1 race

2010-06-18T04:40:40Z

Though the election results aren't yet officially certified Councilman Ray Tretheway called Angelique Ashby late Thursday afternoon to congratulate her on winning the race for District 1 of the City Council.

As of 3:43 P.M. Ashby held 51.1% of the vote, with Tretheway only holding 41.8%. A candidate needs 50 percent of the vote plus one to win a City Council race.

There are still 12,000 mail-in and 4,000 provisional ballots to process but there is no way of telling what portion of them will be relevant to this election. Tretheway doesn't see them making a difference, "I don't think a few votes are going to change anything. So I wanted to let her know as soon as possible that I congratulate her or winning the race." the Councilman was gracious in his concession and added that he would be "open and willing to help (Ashby) in the transition."

Prior to the phone call the Ashby campaign was reluctant to declare victory until the results were official. Jesus Arredondo, Ashby's campaign manager, indicated they are more willing to assume victory with Tretheway's concession. Commenting on the conversation between the two candidates, Arredondo said, "he wished (Ashby) well and we're looking forward to engaging in the business of District 1."

While there are still thousands of ballots to be counted, it is unlikely that they will change the course of the race in any significant way. Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno said that the incoming ballots seemed to reinforce the current percentages. You would expect the remaining ballots to distribute proportionally," said Mizuno. She did warn however that "until it's final, it's not final."

Mizuno stated that the race results wouldn't be finalized until some time next week at the earliest.

Photo of Tretheway by Suzanne Hurt.
Photo of Ashby by Maxwell McKee.

Staff Reporter Kathleen Haley contributed to this report.

District 1: New vote tallies still don't reveal winner

2010-06-12T03:01:42Z

The waiting game for the District 1 City Council race continues.

The Sacramento County elections office released new vote tallies Friday afternoon, and has counted about 35,000 of the roughly 86,000 that remained after Election Day. However, the new ballots still don’t definitively show whether Natomas activist Angelique Ashby has won the District 1 seat, or if she will compete in a runoff in November with incumbent City Councilman Ray Tretheway.

The county elections staff still needs to count more than 51,000 ballots. Voters cast ballots for many state and local candidates Tuesday, so it’s unknown how many of the 51,000 ballots include votes for the City Council races.

With 5,405 votes, Ashby now has 51.49 percent of the vote. Tretheway is at 41.29 percent, with 4,335 votes.

Ashby gained 1,095 more votes in the last few days of counting, while Tretheway garnered an additional 822. The total votes that have been counted in District 1 are 10,498. A candidate needs 50 percent of the vote plus one to win a City Council race.

“It looks like we’ve increased our lead, which is good news,” Ashby campaign manager Jesus Arredondo said Friday afternoon. But the Ashby campaign is not declaring that she won the race.

“In deference to a 10-year councilman, we want to make sure it’s official,” Arredondo said. Tretheway was not immediately available Friday afternoon. North and South Natomas and downtown’s Alkali Flat are part of District 1.

Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno said the updated tallies show that runoffs are still likely in Districts 5 and 7. The new vote tallies showed that District 7 candidate Ryan Chin — taking 38 percent of the vote — has retained his small lead over Darrell Fong, who has 32 percent. The Pocket/Greenhaven and Valley Hi neighborhoods are in District 7.

In the District 5 race, Jay Schenirer now has 47 percent of the vote, while Patrick Kennedy has 34 percent. District 5 includes Oak Park and Curtis Park.

Photo of Tretheway by Suzanne Hurt. Photo of Ashby campaign materials by Maxwell McKee.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Ashby poised to upset incumbent Tretheway

2010-06-09T08:01:25Z

Despite problems with Sacramento County's new vote counting computer system, early indications Tuesday night were that Angelique Ashby will defeat incumbent Roy Tretheway for the city's District 1 council seat.

Ashby, a Natomas area activist who had the backing of local firefighter and police unions, as well as of Mayor Kevin Johnson, was leading Tretheway by 10 percentage points in early tallies.

However, by midnight Tuesday, there was still considerable confusion about vote tallies after a computer system at the county malfunctioned not long after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Ashby's apparent victory was based on a relatively small percentage of votes reported, and is by no means certain.

But early trends gave Ashby a commanding lead, and her headquarters off Richards Boulevard were as raucous as Tretheway's party at the restaurant Sofia in Alkali Flat was somber.

The District 1 campaign was marked by escalating acrimony, as Ashby gained support from major players and Tretheway seemed to falter late in the game, first when his campaign manager was caught on video removing Ashby's lawn signs, and then when he held a press conference in which he accused his opponent's supporters of "identity theft."

Supporters of both candidates made accusations about the other on Sacramento Press, with Ashby portrayed as a puppet of Mayor Kevin Johnson and Tretheway characterized as out of touch - or worse.

A general sense that the City Council is dysfunctional, combined with popular antipathies to incumbents, may have also played into the shift. But with the county's malfunctioning computer, the full story will not be told until Wednesday.

City Council 2010: Election night updates

2010-06-09T05:32:16Z

11:21 p.m. UPDATE

Angelique Ashby's supporters gather around the wide screen television to anxiously watch the results of tonight's election.

With a lead of more than 10% on her closest competitor, incumbent Tretheway, Ashby supporters are anticipating the coming numbers.

"We think we know the answer," volunteer Celia Hernandez said. "We just need it official!"

Cheers, laughter and applause resonate throughout the police stationassociation, and tensions build as the night wears on, the final count looming closer and closer.

"We're all excited," canvas coordinator Greg Pruden said. "Really looking forward to getting the final returns in and seeing what the final result is. We're really pleased with our efforts so far."

--Maxwell McKee

11:15 p.m. UPDATE

Earlier in the evening, an overwhelming atmosphere of food, screaming kids, and bright lights pervaded El Michoacano 2, a Mexican restaurant serving as Leticia Hilbert's election party venue. A bittersweet vibe was apparent on Hilbert's face as she discovered early on she was behind in votes.

Hilbert said the day was exhausting. She spent the day handing out fliers and speaking with voters. Nevertheless, she was supported by dozens of family and friends in the restaurant.

"Family - it's the nucleus of society," said Hilbert, sitting next to her brother. "If it is broken, our society is dysfunctional."

She also commented on her opponents in the election. "They were all polite and I have nothing but nice things to say about them," she said.

-Jonathan Mendick

10:58 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento County’s election website appears to be malfunctioning.

At times, the website reports that 36 precincts in the District 1 race have been counted. But at other times, it reports that 70 of 70 precincts have been counted.

The confusion also affected the District 3 race. Shortly before 11 p.m., City Councilman Steve Cohn said he was just as confused as anyone about what was going on with election returns Tuesday night.

"We really have not been able to get any information," he said. "They still haven't changed the overall total from two hours ago. So it's very strange.

"It seems the entire voter registrar is on furlough tonight," he said.

-- Suzanne Hurt and Kathleen Haley

10:40 p.m. UPDATE

A large crowd is already celebrating at candidate Ryan Chin's party at the Happy Corner Restaurant on Freeport Boulevard. The underdog candidate appears poised to take incumbent Robbie Waters' City Council seat in District 7.

Even in early returns, Waters was in a distant third place behind Chin and Darrell Fong. His party at Giovanni's Pizza in the South Land Park area was breaking up before 10 p.m. in what was a melancholy scene, with friends visibly upset.

Chin's campaign manager Devin Lavelle says, "Our name is at the top of the list, that makes us happy." Chin says he feels good, excited and ready for his potential future with the city council.

--Erin Haight

10:23 p.m. UPDATE

The projection screen glowed in Coffee Garden on Franklin Boulevard as District 5 candidate Patrick Kennedy looked on with deep concentration. The City Council poll results were starting to trickle in Tuesday night.

“Right now, we have zero percent of precincts. It’s just way too early.”

Kennedy did not seem to mind having four candidates to run against.

“I ran my campaign as I would running against one other person or 16,” he said.

-Agnus Farrant

9:44 p.m. UPDATE

The crowd was somber at Sofia Restaurant in downtown Sacramento, where City Councilman Ray Tretheway was watching election returns.

About 40 Tretheway supporters turned out for the event.

Tretheway appeared positive about the outcome of the race, despite the fact that early returns show challenger Angelique Ashby leading in the polls.

“I’m doing great,” he smiled. “It’s totally early — but we did a heck of a campaign. We think we have the votes out there.”

Tretheway said that there’s still a long way to go before all the regular and absentee ballots would be counted.

--Suzanne Hurt

9:30 p.m. UPDATE

Food is set out on tables - chips and salsa, sandwich wraps, pretzels and beer. Pangaea Cafe on Franklin Boulevard is bustling, with more than 30 people.

Schenirer got to the party after 8 p.m. because he was attending his son's Senior Award Ceremony at McClatchy High School. A group of his son's high school friends are in attendance, as is Schenirer's mother-in-law. Schenirer is the life of the party, moving from table to table, receiving congratulations for the current election results.

"So far, so good," he says.

He adds that he plans to stay at the cafe until 10:30 p.m.

--Jonathan Mendick

9:14 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento County Supervisor Candidate Phil Serna is the frontrunner in the District 1 race with 6,088 votes. Keith Weber follows Serna with 2,853 votes.

District 1 includes Sacramento central city.

--Kathleen Haley

9:03 p.m. UPDATE

Over at Clubhouse 56 in East Sacramento, Cohn’s major challenger, realtor Chris Little, watched as county election results were first projected on a wall-sized screen. Little was the second highest vote-getter with 1,295 votes with nearly 40 percent of the vote.

With only 3,271 ballots counted in the race, it is still too early to know how the race will turn out, he said.

“It’s a good showing,” he said.

--Suzanne Hurt

8:59 p.m. UPDATE

Education policy consultant Jay Schenirer is leading the District 5 City Council race with 36 precincts reporting.

Schenirer has 822 votes, while attorney Patrick Kennedy has 571 votes.

Schenirer was endorsed by Mayor Kevin Johnson.

--Kathleen Haley

8:48 p.m. UPDATE

Angelique Ashby’s supporters came together tonight at the police stationSacramento Police Officers Association on Bercut Drive to support the District 1 candidate.

Volunteers spent today working on last-minute campaigning, including making phone calls and visiting polling spots and local businesses.

A new tactic used by the 35-year-old to get the word out was her use of Facebook. She asked her supporters to change their profile pictures to those of Ashby paraphernalia, and has that manner of support from more than 100 people.

“I made a decision at the beginning of the campaign to use social media,” Ashby said. “I think it’s powerful.”

Many volunteers and friends of the campaign put in extra hours today.

“I blew up a hell of a lot of balloons!“ family friend of Ashby’s Pat Mangan said. “I’ve still got the blue on my fingers!”

Unfortunately, voter turnout doesn’t seem to be very good this year.

“It’s looking pretty skinny,“ volunteer Jesus Arredondo said. “Low voter turnout is holding pretty true. Votes were coming in very, very slow this morning. We’ll see if there’s a mad rush here before the end of the polls.”

As the polls inch toward closing, Ashby says she’s more excited than nervous.

“There’s no reason to be nervous,” she said. “We’ve done everything we can. We’ve left no stone unturned. Looking back at a year’s worth of campaigning I can honestly say I feel very good about the effort of my team and my community to give us the best possible chance tonight.”

--Maxwell McKee

8:25 p.m. UPDATE

Incumbent City Councilman Robbie Waters is trailing two challengers in the District 7 City Council race. Ryan Chin is leading with 1,088 votes and 41 precincts reporting.

Darrell Fong follows Chin with 987 votes.

Waters has 728 votes.

--Kathleen Haley

8:20 p.m. UPDATE

Neighborhood activist Angelique Ashby is ahead in the contentious District 1 City Council race. At this point, Ashby has 1,862 votes, while incumbent City Councilman Ray Tretheway has 1,493 votes.

Ashby was endorsed by Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Guttierrez trails with 246 votes.

--Kathleen Haley

8:05 p.m. UPDATE

District 3 candidate Jeff Rainforth said his campaign for City Council went "a lot better" than his previous runs for the U.S. Congress and California governor — because the race was local.

That meant much less ground to cover and a simpler, less expensive way of campaigning, he said.

"We learned a lot about the process of local politics," he said. "Face time with neighbors is important. This is a lot of signs and getting the vote out."

Rainforth said he slept in Tuesday after staying out until 3 a.m. putting out lawn signs before the election.

"It's a lot of work," said Rainforth, who drove up in his campaign Jeep to vote at Washington Elementary School at 7 p.m. "And it was mostly just me."

--Suzanne Hurt

7:49 p.m. UPDATE

Early Tuesday evening, District 3 candidate Shawn Eldredge welcomed family and friends to his Midtown home, where they will watch election results once polls close at 8 p.m.

Wearing a T-shirt that said, "Say no to business as usual," Eldredge said he wanted to throw an appreciation party for everyone who supported him. But he thought his chances of winning weren't high.

"I'm not going to win," he said. "Steve's (Cohn) most likely going to win. Or if not, I'm likely going to be beaten by a sign campaign."

One of his opponents, East Sacramento realtor Chris Little, distributed at least 700 lawn signs, said Eldredge, who added that he put out a little more than 200 — but only "for people who asked."

His mother, Marsha Tipton, was one of the first to arrive in support. She said she reminded coworkers to vote, but saw few voting when she cast her ballot.

"I'm very proud of him," she said.

Eldredge's 20-year-old daughter, Falina, graduated from college in Germany Friday. She made it home Monday night — just in time to show her support for her dad and vote Tuesday evening.

--Suzanne Hurt

7:36 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento Press Staff Reporter Jonathan Mendick talked with District 5 City Council candidate Jay Schenirer.

Mendick: What do you think about getting the mayor's endorsement, along with Ashby, Cohn and Waters?

Schenirer: My feeling is he cares deeply about Sacramento and he's very committed to being successful. I want him to be successful; if he is, the city is going to be successful. If I'm lucky enough to be elected, I'm looking forward to working with him and others on the council. While people might disagree on the strategy of how to do it, we ultimately want the same thing. Our bosses are the people in the city of Sacramento, and what they're telling us is we need to do a better job working together.

Mendick: What is significant about this year's City Council election and why?

Schenirer: I think what we're going to need to do is get a council that can work together, because for a long time people haven't trusted federal or state government. I (also) haven't seen a lot of trust in city government. We really have to figure out how to work together and regain the trust of the neighborhoods and the city.

--Jonathan Mendick

7:01 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento Press community contributor Erin Haight scoped out the District 7 scene this afternoon.

David Plag, from incumbent Councilman Robbie Waters' campaign, said early statistics are showing a large Republican turnout.

Darrell Fong said in a text message that he was doing well and had no complaints this afternoon.

--Erin Haight

6:18 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento Press staff reporter Jonathan Mendick talked to District 5 City Council candidate Henry Harry around 5 p.m.

Harry said some of his campaign signs were stolen. “We’ve made a pretty good effort, our only issue is that we had some campaign signs stolen,” Harry said. “Last night they went to some of our key locations and took some of our signs down.”

Mendick also asked Harry what it was like to run against four other candidates.

“Running against those guys and the lady was interesting and an eye opener,” Harry said. “Two things: Everyone of those is running a good campaign. No one took any cheap shots as far as I saw. You have 20 neighborhoods here, with a diversity of people. Whoever takes that seat is going to have to do a lot of work.”

5:50 p.m. UPDATE

Signs for polling places, such as this one on McKinley Boulevard, sprang up all over the city Tuesday.

Voters began streaming into the McKinley Library polling place after 3 p.m. — the start of the busiest time of day for in-person voting, which builds as people get off work. By 4:45 p.m., 116 people had voted and another six were in the process of voting.

This primary is proving to be more difficult for polling place workers, who must determine which ballot out of nine possible ballots each voter needs. There are nine ways people can vote in the 2010 primary election, said a worker named Dorothy, who's volunteered in elections for at least eight years.

Sacramento Police officers paid a visit to the polling place at McKinley Library after a transient caused a disturbance there, according to the officers.

--Suzanne Hurt

5:40 p.m. UPDATE

Sacramento Press intern Agnus Farrant chatted with District 5 City Council candidate Terrence Johnson Tuesday afternoon.

Farrant asked Johnson: What are the biggest issues in the campaign?

"In the campaign, I felt a little underfunded,” Johnson said. “But that was replaced with increased activity and increased volunteerism. So the limits of some of the campaign resources, we doubled down on our actual feet on the ground, we did person-to-person type campaigning. We walked and walked, hit every single precinct. Funding was the biggest issue.”

Johnson also commented on community issues. “The budget, safety, security and education resonated throughout districts as issues,” he said. “Different priorities for each neighborhood, but the same issues."

5:20 p.m. UPDATE

Staff reporter Suzanne Hurt caught up with City Councilman Steve Cohn today.

Cohn, who's being challenged for the District 3 council seat, cycled through his precincts late Tuesday afternoon.

"Today, we're working to get out the vote," said Cohn, who rode a red single-speed cruiser to knock on doors and pass out literature at the homes of people who hadn't yet voted.

About 5 campaign workers volunteering for Cohn visited polling places Tuesday to find out who's already voted and who might need a reminder call. Another four or five hit the phones to let people know there was still time to vote.

3:46 p.m. UPDATE

City Council District 5 candidates Jay Schenirer and Patrick Kennedy are working the phones today.

District 5 neighborhoods include Colonial Heights, Curtis Park and Oak Park.

Sacramento Press reporter Jonathan Mendick talked to sources with the candidates' campaigns earlier today.

“Today I’m phoning,” Schenirer said. “I have walked the district already twice, in some places three or four times.”

Patrick Kennedy was making phone calls and checking precincts earlier Tuesday, said Judy Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy’s wife.

Flood of interest group money supports Ashby

2010-06-05T00:29:27Z

A flood of money from interest groups is being used to support City Council candidate Angelique Ashby. A committee that is separate from Ashby’s campaign contributed about $36,000 for mailers that advocate for her candidacy, according to election statements.

That amount legally surpasses the contribution totals that citizens and most groups can make to candidate’s campaigns, according to Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno.

The sum comes from a group with a lengthy name: Independent Expenditure Committee for Jobs and Prosperity / Sponsored by Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee.

Ashby is running for the District 1 City Council seat against incumbent Councilman Ray Tretheway and realtor Efren Guttierrez.

The city’s campaign financing rules are complex. An individual can give no more than $1,500 to a City Council candidate during the span of a primary or general election.

Large political committees are barred by law from giving more than $5,000 to a City Council candidate during those time periods.

But Mizuno explained that groups called “independent expenditure committees” are not covered under the city’s restrictions. The group that provided about $36,000 for mailers supporting Ashby is one of those committees.

“An ‘independent expenditure’ is an expenditure made in connection with a communication (e.g. a billboard, advertisement, mailing) that expressly advocates the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or the qualification, passage, or defeat of a clearly identified measure,” according to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission website.

“An independent expenditure is a payment that is not made to — or at the behest of — the affected candidate or committee."

Election statements filed with the city also point out the groups that gave money to the Independent Expenditure Committee for Jobs and Prosperity.

These groups include the Committee for Home Ownership of the North State Building Industry Association and OSE Properties, Inc.

The Committee for Home Ownership of the North State Building Industry Association has also contributed to the Placer County California Republican Assembly Political Action Committee and Friends of Jimmie Yee, the Sacramento County supervisor running for re-election.

Read about mailers supporting Ashby in the election statement from the Independent Expenditure Committee for Jobs and Prosperity.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

A Divided Natomas

2010-05-07T07:35:24Z

Years ago, driving home from ARCO Arena used to be like driving through a vast rural land of fields, sometimes through thick fog and orange overhead lights. Now this land is the thriving community commonly known as North Natomas filled with homes, businesses, restaurants, a high school, and a brand new library.

That’s all located north of Interstate-80. South of Interstate-80 is the established communities of South Natomas, Gardenland, and Northgate.

Calls to serve both areas equally were made at the District 1 City Council Candidates Forum, moderated by Brandy Boyd, publisher of the Natomas Buzz.

“Come on down Northgate Boulevard” said Candidate Efren Guttierrez in response to how to secure business in Natomas. “Get out of your car. Walk the boulevard. You tell me who said people are secure.”

“That’s District 1, too.”

Candidate Angelique Ashby said she was tired of seeing other projects not come to Natomas.

“We need to have an eye on the future for building up this region,” said Ashby. “We also have to be a safe place for our business. No entrepreneur would want to open up a business where there’s a lack of police.”

Candidate and current Councilmember Ray Tretheway, who had to leave early for another event, discussed youth mentoring and truancy programs.

In discussing North Natomas’ levee problems, Guttierrez pointed out a theme he consistently hears when discussing various topics.

“It’s the fact that everything is generated north of I-80, and it isn’t,” said Guttierrez. “Before I-80 was a glimmer in Heather Fargo or Ray’s eye’s, there was a community called South Natomas.”

“South Natomas was promised many things; fire station, a medical facility, a police station. We got none of these. The medical facility that was supposedly built on West El Camino and Truxel closed in six months. I didn’t see Ray or anybody else jump to keep them there.”

“At the end, there is a world south of I-80,” said Guttierrez.

Ashby also took a shot at Tretheway, who had his Campaign Manager Bryan DeBlonk sit in as his surrogate.

“No offense to Mr. DeBlonk, but Ray is not a strong advocate for our region,” said Ashby. “He is a nice guy, but he is not a person who is going to fight for this community on a day to day basis.”

Both Guttierrez and Ashby pointed out problems with crosswalks and signals in both North and South Natomas.

But Ashby continued to take shots at Tretheway when responding to nearly every question.

“I do not believe our elective representative has done his job,” said Ashby when discussing safety in the community and at schools.

When discussing public transportation, Ashby said Tretheway ignored the petition of 500 people to not run Light Rail down Truxel Boulevard.

In responding to how to preserve current Natomas business, Ashby said “Ray Tretheway has been on the council for nine years. You need to think about whether you want him the next four.”

If elected, Ashby vowed she would not treat her position as a part time position; however, DeBlonk reminded everyone of the difference between an advocate and a Councilmember.

“It’s very easy to be an advocate and to say ‘this one thing we need to be doing and I’m going to push for it, and you know what, if all of us advocate more, then more the things we want get done,’” said DeBlonk.

“It’s a very different thing to be a Councilmember.”

Transit takes center stage at District 1 debate

2010-04-01T06:00:23Z

Regional Transit wrapped up their talks about service cuts earlier this week, though there was still plenty of room for finger pointing and analysis at the District 1 Candidates Debate.

"Natomas is losing all routes on the weekends as my understanding," said candidate Angelique Ashby. "That means people have jobs elsewhere on the weekends and they are going to ride the bus, they can't do that anymore."

Ashby said she didn't understand why current District 1 Councilmember Ray Tretheway, who is on Regional Transit's Board of Directors, did not fight to keep a route in Natomas.

"I don't understand how he can let them all go," said Ashby. "We certainily pay into that tax system that provides that transportation. It seems to me it should be equal, and areas that have access to Light Rail should have been cut first. We don't have any Light Rail, but buses are the only public transportation that we have."

Tretheway responded saying no lines in North or South Natomas were cut except for one operating on the weekends.

"One goes through North Sacramento and ends up to Natomas Marketplace", said Tretheway. "That one was cut on weekends. All the rest I fought to restore."

Tretheway also elaborated on the Natomas Light Rail extension, saying it's been settled on going down Truxel Blvd for the last three to five years. Ashby opposes the Truxel Blvd plan.

"I believe that we will take care of the community, community center, and neighbors, and that Light Rail will be a public asset coming down Truxel", said Tretheway.

Efren Guttierrez, the third candidate in the debate, expressed his disappointment with Regional Transit.

"The line that you're talking about Ray is Line 13," said Guttierrez. "Line 13 runs down Northgate Blvd, and that is a working class neighborhood."

Guttierrez also discussed the problems working with other transit authorities over the years.

"We've been fighting with SACOG and Sacramento Transit Authority for years to deal with our problem of buses in this city," said Guttierrez. "We've seen this coming down the pipe."

Cohn tells neighbors: Parks could face new round of budget cuts

2010-03-16T05:33:38Z

Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn is predicting deep budget cuts to local parks this year in light of the city’s $35 million-$40 million budget gap for the 2010/2011 fiscal year.

Cohn’s worries about new cuts come after the city cut the Parks and Recreation Department by $8.3 million last year.

“I fear that the cutbacks in parks will actually be more severe this year,” Cohn told a handful of neighborhood leaders gathered at Hart Senior Center Monday night.

Cohn, who presented information about his district at the Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting, said the city may look for ways to work with neighborhoods and the business community to maintain the parks.

“As we all know, most of our neighborhoods in Midtown and East Sacramento are really designed around parks,” Cohn said.

Cohn represents District 3, which includes the neighborhoods of Mansion Flats, Marshall School Midtown and Boulevard Park.

Councilman Ray Tretheway, from District 1, also made remarks to the neighborhood group. His district includes the neighborhoods of Alkali Flat, Old Sacramento and China Town Mall.

Among other things, Tretheway said that a new community garden will open at Zapata Park in Alkali Flat this summer.

Councilman Rob Fong, whose district includes Newton Booth and Poverty Ridge, among other neighborhoods, could not attend the NAG meeting due to illness, said Gerald Celestine, the facilitator of Monday night’s meeting. Fong represents District 4.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Natomas public safety activist runs for City Council

2010-03-16T05:26:04Z

Angelique Ashby is a Natomas neighborhood activist who views public safety as the city's top priority. Ashby, who is running for Sacramento City Council, has the support of two major local public safety unions: the Sacramento Police Officers Association and Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522.

The Sacramento Press is interviewing City Council candidates in advance of the June election.

Ashby is running for City Council in District 1, which is now represented by Councilman Ray Tretheway. The district includes the neighborhoods of North and South Natomas and Alkali Flat.

The 20-year Sacramento resident is a partner in a consulting firm that contracts with businesses and government agencies. She said she has worked on programs involving at-risk youth and parolees.

Ashby, 34, is also president of the Creekside Neighborhood Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and a law degree from McGeorge School of Law.

If elected to the City Council, her key focus would be on public safety, which she described as an obligation. In her view, public safety encompasses flood and fire protection and police work.

Among other goals, she said she wants to help the City Council members communicate with each other.

Quality-of-life issues are important to Ashby. “The way I think that you address quality-of-life issues is that you listen,” she said. “You listen to what it is that people want.”

Another priority of Ashby’s would be the local economy. “We have got to bring jobs to Sacramento,” she said.

Ashby said she successfully directed the push for a Natomas community policing center — the Natomas Police and Community Resource Center was created in 2008. Ashby notes that she worked on plans to start the center without a budget. Land was donated for the center, which is operated by a group of more than 60 volunteers, she said.

The items in the center are also donated, she said, with the exception of phone and Internet.

“Those types of outside-of-the-box thinking, they ... release some pressure on having to come up with dollars in a budget that doesn’t have room, or having to create a new tax for something,” Ashby said. “Sometimes, you can just work a little harder, build a few more relationships and come up with some solid solutions.”

She also ran a drive to apply fees from developers toward a new fire station in Natomas, she said. Construction for he station, which will be located west of Interstate 5, will kick off in April, according to Ashby’s website.

In response to a question from The Sacramento Press, Ashby said she is receiving advice from political communications consultant Steve Maviglio on a volunteer basis.

Maviglio volunteers for Mayor Kevin Johnson on political issues, such as Johnson’s campaign for a strong mayor form of government. The Sacramento Press asked Ashby if she would be an ally of Johnson’s if she were elected to the City Council. “First of all, and very importantly, I consider myself to be an ally of every member of the council, including the mayor,” she said. “What they think of me is up to them. But why would anyone want to elect a person who doesn’t want to work with the city mayor? If it was Heather Fargo, my answer would be the same.”

Of the three candidates for the District 1 seat, Ashby is second to Tretheway in campaign fundraising. Tretheway took in $79,278 for his campaign last year, according to campaign statements.

Campaign statements show that Ashby raised $26,452 last year. Candidate Efren Guttierrez said earlier this month that he has raised about $2,000 for his campaign.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Council race: Social justice activist challenges Tretheway

2010-03-06T04:06:26Z

Efren Guttierrez wants to bring his focus on social justice to City Hall. The 54-year-old real estate broker and community activist is running for a seat on the Sacramento City Council.

The Sacramento Press is interviewing City Council candidates in advance of the June election.

Guttierrez is running in District 1, now represented by Ray Tretheway. The district includes North and South Natomas and Alkali Flat.

Guttierrez has worked in real estate for 28 years and is co-owner of New West Realtors in Natomas. He noted that his career pays the bills, but activism is his passion.

“My love has always been social justice advocacy,” he said.

Guttierrez was born in Stockton and has lived in Sacramento for 49 years. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, in 1981.

He said he wants to help low-income residents who are struggling in the dismal economy. Many residents are just barely paying their electricity bills, Guttierrez said.

“The business people and everybody else is taking care of themselves. Now, we need to take care of those at the bottom end. If we don’t, what are we about?”

As a councilman, Guttierrez said he would address the needs of the Latino community, which “has been needing representation for a least a decade now.”

He said he promotes public transportation and likes the idea of bringing small buses to Sacramento.

Guttierrez also noted that poor residents do not have access to healthy foods. He said he is working with the Justice Reform Coalition and other groups to create more community gardens. He added that more farmers markets should be located near poor communities.

He said he wants to examine how people can do their jobs more efficiently. He suggested the idea of businesses gaining tax credits for hiring people who live near their job sites. That would cut down on local youth working at minimum-wage jobs outside of the city, Guttierrez said. “It would mean local people working at local businesses.”

Guttierrez is helping to organize the 10th annual César Chávez March in Sacramento on March 27. He was among those who protested former CNN broadcaster Lou Dobbs’s comments about Latino immigrants.

Guttierrez has raised the least amount of money of the three District 1 candidates. He said he has about $2,000 in campaign funds. Tretheway raised $79,278 in 2009, according to campaign statements.

Angelique Ashby, who is also running for the District 1 seat, raised $26,452 last year. Ashby is a partner in a consulting firm that contracts with businesses and government agencies.

Guttierrez said that he would break “the same old status quo” that supports Tretheway, who he said is supported by big business, developers and corporations.

While Guttierrez is accurate in saying that Tretheway’s supporters include developers — Angelo Tsakopoulos Real Estate Investments and CFY Developers are contributors — Tretheway also has received significant contributions from local unions. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local No. 467 and the California State Pipe Trades Council Political Action Committee are two of Tretheway’s union contributors, according to campaign statements.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Civil rights activist Efren Guttierrez declares candidacy for Sacramento City Council, slams ‘special interests’ that dominate city hall; Says his special interest will be 'people'

2010-02-09T23:04:04Z

SACRAMENTO – Declaring “my only special interests are people,”
civil rights activist Efren Guttierrez today (Feb. 9) officially
announced his candidacy for Sacramento City Council, District 1 –
and he didn’t’ waste anytime slamming big special interest money
that dominates local campaign races.

“I will only have one special interest: The People. I will not
accept contributions from large developers and similar special
interests because ‘It’s About Time’ the grip of those special
interests on the city is broken,” pledged Guttierrez, 54, a local
real estate broker and community activist as he stood outside
Sacramento City Hall with dozens of supporters.

Guttierrez is the executive director of Chicano Consortium, and
president of the La Raza Sacramento Chapter. He’s also on CORE’s
steering committee and a member of a large number of social
justice groups, including the Dept. of Justice Hate Crime Task
Force, Latino Congreso, Sacramento Mentor Program and Rescue &
Restore Coalition (anti-human trafficking), among many others listed.

Guttierrez, who held his event at a City Hall memorial of former
Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna, repeatedly used his theme “It’s About
Time,” referring to the 11 years since a Latino has been on the
Sacramento City Council. More than 22 percent of Sacramento’s
population is Latino, and it’s nearly about 27 percent in
District 1 – largely in the Natomas area.

Guttierrez said one of his goals is to “stop lining the pockets
of the wealthy and super wealthy who get special favors (from the
City). The time of sweetheart deals from the city to these
companies is over. I wan to generate not just any jobs, but
living wage jobs,” he said.

“We also need to focus on the kids…(and) provide them with an
education not just from books, but how to survive in their
community, and on this planet. We need to teach life skills,”
Guttierrez said. He also said he hopes to launch an effort to
help people in the city with soaring health care costs. “This is
everyone’s problem,” he said.

Guttierrez acknowledged that his campaign will not have large
campaign coffers because of his refusal to accept corporate
special interest money. But, he said, his “people” campaign will
be “fueled” by social justice organizations and volunteers.

“I will have the aid…of those who truly care about others more
than their own bottom line. The people have been down too long
and fooled too often by politicians. But I am not a politician.
This campaign will be about people,” he said.

More information can be found at www.EfrenGcitycouncil.org.