Latest local news briefs include the passing of a 67-year-old San Juan High School alumni, flooding at Sunrise Mall and two challengers entering the race for Sue Frost’s seat on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.
Two enter supervisors race to challenge Sue Frost Sue Frost, who formerly served as mayor of Citrus Heights and is now up for re-election on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, now has two challengers. Bridget Duffy, who ran as a Citrus Heights City Council candidate in 2014, and Jeffrey Erik Perrine, both filed before the Dec. 6 deadline to run for Frost’s District 4 seat. Perrine appears to have been an organizer of a “Turn California Red” rally at the State Capitol last year.
Jayna Karpinski-Costa appointed again to mosquito board The City Council voted 4-0 Thursday night to appoint the only person who applied for an open position on the Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District Board. Jayna Karpinski-Costa has served on the board for 12 years.
JC Penney floods at Sunrise Mall Flooding at JC Penney on Wednesday led to the store being evacuated, according to CBS 13. The incident occurred around noon, with water coming from inside the store. Authorities were unclear where the leak had started, but the area closest to the changing rooms was described as the area most affected, the station reported. (See CBS 13 report)
Obituary: John Diller (1952-2019) Citrus Heights resident John Diller, a graduate of San Juan High School (class of 1970), passed away at age 67 on Dec. 2, 2019, according to an obituary published in The Sacramento Bee last week. Diller was drafted into the Army after high school and later joined California American Water, where he retired recently after 43 years. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, 3 children, 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. (See full obituary)
Updated 11:21 a.m. —
Voters in Citrus Heights gave a nod of approval to their current city councilmembers Tuesday, with all three incumbents leading challengers by 3 percent or more, according to the latest election results from the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters. “IT’S OFFICIAL: 3/3 Gets the job done,” incumbent Steve Miller posted on his Facebook page around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, with 65 out of 65 voting precincts reporting. “Thank you for your votes and kind support.”
Jeannie Bruins staked out a significant lead above the rest, gaining 25 percent of the vote, with Mel Turner coming in second with 22 percent. Steve Miller is in third place, beating challenger Tim Schaefer by about 800 votes, as of the latest County numbers released at 12:33 a.m., Wednesday.
Public disclosure filings show Turner received the most total contributions this year, reporting over $21,000, with Miller reporting slightly over $12,000 and Bruins around $10,000. Schaefer came in far behind, reporting total contributions of just $3,250 and Bridget Duffy announced early on she was intentionally not raising funds.
In mailers and public statements, incumbents largely focused on their past record, while challengers distinguished themselves by opposition to a new city hall building and criticism of incumbents for supporting a 2012 tax measure.
More than 12,000 undervotes have been reported so far for the council race, with undervotes occurring when a voter skipped over the city council part of their ballot, or selected just one or two candidates instead of the full three selections allowed in the race. Undervotes for local races are typically high, as past election results indicate many voters only make a choice in well-known national and statewide races and choose to leave other “down-ticket” races blank.
Poll workers at a precinct near Old Auburn Road and Mariposa Avenue said voter turnout was higher than in the June Primary election, and said about two-thirds of voters on their list were vote-by-mail. An election report for the precinct showed 201 voters cast a ballot in-person on Tuesday, and an additional 107 vote-by-mail ballots were dropped off during the election.
Although ballots mailed in early have already been counted, vote-by-mail ballots dropped off at the polls, as well as others like provisional ballots, are still to be counted.
Elected councilmembers will each serve a term of four years on the five-member city council. The other two members currently on the council will be up for election in 2016.
*Editor’s note: stay tuned for more exclusive local election coverage.
Looking to find out more about who’s running in the local Citrus Heights city council election?
The five Citrus Heights city council candidates sit alongside a League of Women Voters moderator during an October 11 voter forum.
With the election coming on Tuesday, we’ve updated this candidate forum story from October with separate audio clips for each of the eight questions candidates were asked.
Candidate answers show their greatest difference to be on plans for an estimated $18.9 million new city hall, with challengers Tim Schaefer and Bridget Duffy against the proposal, while incumbents Steve Miller, Mel Turner and Jeannie Bruins spoke favorably of the plan to build a new hall during the forum — although Bruins said she’d wait for a traffic study and Environmental Impact Report before committing to a final decision.
Candidates were also divided during the forum on whether they supported a failed 2012 tax increase known as Measure K, with Miller, Turner and Bruins saying they supported it to help pay for roads and police services, while Schaefer and Duffy said they opposed the tax measure.
*Editor’s note: to listen to the candidates’ full answers to any of the eight questions asked, click on the audio below:
1. Public Safety: “Two days ago, the Citrus Heights city council voted unanimously to oppose Prop 47, with our Police Chief stating that the proposition would ‘virtually assure’ the release of 10,000 inmates into local communities. What is your position on Prop 47, and what is your plan to enhance public safety in Citrus Heights?”
Candidate answers (5:01)
2. New City Hall Proposal “What is your position on the City of Citrus Heights’ proposal to relocate city hall and can you tell and explain why this is — or is not — beneficial to taxpayers?”
Candidate answers (5:27)
3. Taxes: “The local tax increase known as Measure K was shot down by Citrus Heights voters in 2012 — although it was supported by councilmembers at the time. Would you support future tax increases, and did you support Measure K? Why, or why not?”
Candidate answers (5:47)
4. Special Interests: “Each election, there’s a lot of talk about special interests controlling candidates. On October 6, you all filed a campaign disclosure form, showing who donated to you and how much. Take a minute to share with voters who your top two donors are, and how these donations would — or would not – have an influence on decisions you would make.”
Candidate answers (5:01)
5. Homelessness: “Vice Mayor Sue Frost has said she questions whether it is the proper role of government to solve the problem of homelessness – or whether most aspects of the problem are best solved by private charity. Given the complaints about homelessness in Citrus Heights, what do you believe the proper role of government is in regard to homelessness in our community?”
Candidate answers: (5:58)
6. Schools: “Although the City and San Juan Unified School Districts are two different government entities, many citrus heights residents have expressed concern about the plans for Sylvan Middle School. What role, if any, should city councilmembers have in this matter?”
Candidate answers (5:46)
7. Business: “Citrus Heights has sought to create a City that is business-friendly, with stores like Stein Mart opening earlier this month and HD Supply opening next week. What specifically would you do to keep and attract businesses in Citrus Heights?”
Candidate answers (5:50)
8. Measuring Success: “If you are elected — or re-elected — to the city council, how will you personally measure your success as a councilmember after four years?”
Although mild for the most part, accusations of “backroom deals,” poor decisions and “PR mistakes” highlights some of the controversial remarks made during a second candidate forum for the Citrus Heights city council race, Thursday night.
Councilman Steve Miller responds to a question at Thursday night’s candidate forum, as challenger Bridget Duffy listens.
“I think we’ve done a heck of a job,” said current mayor and candidate Mel Turner, highlighting the opening of Stones Casino, which he says created jobs for 51 Citrus Heights residents. “No, we’re not perfect — yes, we can improve.”
Turner’s current colleagues Jeannie Bruins and Steve Miller likewise focused on their accomplishments while in office and expressed support for continuing in the same direction, while challenger Bridget Duffy criticized the council’s support of a failed 2012 local tax measure to pay for roads and more police.
“What kind of report card you would give your city council that’s in place today?” Challenger Tim Schaefer asked the audience, urging a vote for a “fresh perspective” on the council. “We’ve talked about economic development, we’ve talked about jobs, and I can’t say that I’ve seen much of that change in the last 12 years.”
Sponsored by the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights, each of the five city council candidates were asked a series of nine questions, all focusing on local issues and candidate qualifications and goals.
During opening statements, Miller emphasized his family focus and 30-year marriage, while Bruins highlighted her experience and involvement in the early cityhood effort. Schaefer and Duffy both focused on their opposition to a new city hall and concerns with budgetary issues, and Turner cited his “servant leadership” philosophy and 30-year residency.
Updated audio on Oct. 29, 1:58 p.m. —
A Citrus Heights city council candidate forum was broadcast live on Metro 14 television Saturday, revealing significant differences between the five candidates on a variety of local issues, with each candidate also being asked to tell voters who their top two donors were.
The five city council candidates, seated next to a League of Women Voters moderator at Saturday’s forum.
Hosted and moderated by the Sacramento League of Women Voters, two media panelists asked a series of eight questions to the candidates, ranging from if-and-why they would support a local tax increase, to whether they support the controversial proposal to move and build a new city hall and allow a medical office building in its place.
*Editor’s note: see audio below and check back soon for our exclusive highlights on how candidates Mel Turner, Tim Schaefer, Bridget Duffy, Steve “Sparky” Miller, and Jeannie Bruins answered the media panelists’ questions listed below.
1. Public Safety: “Two days ago, the Citrus Heights city council voted unanimously to oppose Prop 47, with our Police Chief stating that the proposition would ‘virtually assure’ the release of 10,000 inmates into local communities. What is your position on Prop 47, and what is your plan to enhance public safety in Citrus Heights?”
Candidate answers (5:01)
2. New City Hall Proposal “What is your position on the City of Citrus Heights’ proposal to relocate city hall and can you tell and explain why this is — or is not — beneficial to taxpayers?”
Candidate answers (5:27)
3. Taxes: “The local tax increase known as Measure K was shot down by Citrus Heights voters in 2012 — although it was supported by councilmembers at the time. Would you support future tax increases, and did you support Measure K? Why, or why not?”
Candidate answers (5:47)
4. Special Interests: “Each election, there’s a lot of talk about special interests controlling candidates. On October 6, you all filed a campaign disclosure form, showing who donated to you and how much. Take a minute to share with voters who your top two donors are, and how these donations would — or would not – have an influence on decisions you would make.”
Candidate answers (5:01)
5. Homelessness: “Vice Mayor Sue Frost has said she questions whether it is the proper role of government to solve the problem of homelessness – or whether most aspects of the problem are best solved by private charity. Given the complaints about homelessness in Citrus Heights, what do you believe the proper role of government is in regard to homelessness in our community?”
Candidate answers: (5:58)
6. Schools: “Although the City and San Juan Unified School Districts are two different government entities, many citrus heights residents have expressed concern about the plans for Sylvan Middle School. What role, if any, should city councilmembers have in this matter?”
Candidate answers (5:46)
7. Business: “Citrus Heights has sought to create a City that is business-friendly, with stores like Stein Mart opening earlier this month and HD Supply opening next week. What specifically would you do to keep and attract businesses in Citrus Heights?”
Candidate answers (5:50)
8. Measuring Success: “If you are elected — or re-elected — to the city council, how will you personally measure your success as a councilmember after four years?”
Want to know more about who’s running for Citrus Heights city council this year?
With candidate forums set for October 11 and October 16, voters in Citrus Heights will soon have a chance to learn more about the five candidates running for three city council seats in the November 4 election.
Signs for candidates in the Citrus Heights city council race are seen outside Walmart on Auburn Boulevard.
Contestants include current council members Jeannie Bruins, Mel Turner and Steve Miller, with businessman Tim Schaefer and homemaker Bridget Duffy entering the race this year, both known for their public opposition to moving city hall.
The first forum has been organized by the Sacramento League of Women Voters, and will be a one-hour event held at the Board of Supervisors chambers in Sacramento, with live stream video available on Metro Cable 14. Candidates will respond to various questions offered by a panel of media members and the League, and will also be offered one-minute opening and closing statements.
The second forum is set for October 16 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Citrus Heights city council chambers, and is hosted by the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), a non-partisan organization led by the city’s neighborhood association leaders. The forum will be moderated by Dr. Danielle Joesten from the Department of Government at California State University, Sacramento.
The deadline to register to vote in this year’s election is October 20.
Candidate Forums:
Citrus Heights City Council
Sponsor: League of Women Voters Saturday, October 11, 2014 1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisor Chambers (or live online: http://www.sacmetrocable.tv/)
Sacramento, CA 95814
Sponsor: Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights Thursday, October 16, 2014 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. City Council chambers
7117 Greenback Ln.
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
