Note: As part of The Sentinel’s 2022 coverage of local elections, we have asked a series of seven identical questions to each of the candidates running for a seat on the Citrus Heights City Council. The questions are designed to give each of the candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s life and background. Candidates replied via email, and those who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word.
Michael Nishimura, District 2
Mike Nishimura
Why are you running for City Council? I am not a polished politician, and I’m not doing this as a stepping stone to further my political career or to boost my ego. I believe my knowledge and experience will be an asset to the city and I am doing this as a public servant, to try and make the city a better place to live and do business.
What are two aspects you like most about living in Citrus Heights?
This is my home and love everything about living here. It has been a very safe community and a good place to work and raise my family.
What are the top two things you’d like to change/improve in Citrus Heights, if any?
I want to drive economic development in the City. This enables us to enhance ; our Police, public safety, infrastructure, road improvements, homeless issues etc. I would also like to improve our community engagement and vibrancy, This will help make our City more attractive to potential businesses and homeowners.
What are two books that have had the most influence on your life, and why/how?
“Wooden on Leadership” by John Wooden. I have always admired John Wooden’s accomplishments, but more importantly, the morals and ethics he followed to accomplish them.
I am almost through the new book “Becoming The City Of Citrus Heights” by Miranda Culp with Bill Van Duker. I thought I always understood the passion and intensity of the members of the Citrus Heights Incorporation Project, but now I understand a little bit more of the tenacity it took for incorporation. I now understand why there were tears in Jean Duncan’s eyes when the new City Hall was dedicated.
What are three key principles that would guide your votes on the council?
Honesty, Integrity and Common Sense.
What kind of volunteer work have you done for charities, churches or service organizations in the community?
I am currently on the City’s Planning Commission, I spent twelve years on the board of the Sunrise Marketplace PBID, I have been a member of the Citrus Heights Water District’s Customer Advisory Committee (CAC) since its inception, current President of REACH, former President of Neighborhood Area Nine (SONA), member of the CHASEN board, PTA President, 10 years as a volunteer wrestling coach at Bella Vista High School, former member of the Advisory Committee for San Juan High School’s Culinary Arts program, many hours volunteering for the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART)… *Edited due to length.
City Council members are paid a small monthly stipend of $600 for their service. If elected, how do you plan to balance work life elsewhere with council responsibilities?
I am not doing this for the money. My wife passed away last December and our kids are grown now, so my family life does not require nearly as much time as it did when we were raising a young family, other than the Saturday afternoons I get to spend with our granddaughter Miranda. Now that I am no longer working 60-80 hours a week managing restaurants, I believe I can work my 30 hours a week for the school district and still be able to do a good job for the City of Citrus Heights.
Key Endorsements: (did not respond) Key donors: (Did not respond)
The Elephant Bar Restaurant in Citrus Heights. // Thomas J. Sullivan
Updated May 24, 11:57 a.m.– By Thomas J. Sullivan–The popular Elephant Bar Restaurant on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights closed its doors to customers for the final time this week.
Vickie Robertson, now former general manager for the Elephant Bar Restaurant at 6063 Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights said by telephone that company representatives of Gen3 Hospitality, LLC, of Las Vegas, Nevada met with senior restaurant management including herself on Tuesday, May 21, and said that the restaurant would be closed the following day.
“In all, 45 employees of the restaurant including restaurant bar manager Mike Nishimura were terminated,” Robertson said. She was writing letters of recommendation for many of those employees and “that news of the popular restaurant’s closure came as a shock to staff.”
No prior notice of the restaurant’s sudden closure was given to the Citrus Heights management or staff, which hosted a “Tip A Cop” Special Olympics fundraiser by area law enforcement agencies including the Citrus Heights Police Department last week.
Robertson, who described herself being in the restaurant
catering business for decades, said she was sad for the loss of colleagues at
the restaurant and the public who made working at the Elephant Bar a very special
part of her life.
“The restaurant required significant physical improvements which the owners, Gen3 Hospitality, LLC said they were unwilling to make,” she said. “Their decision to close the Citrus Heights location was purely a business decision.”
A statement by Gen3 Hospitality, LLC was issued on the
Elephant Bar’s Facebook page on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
“We have closed the doors at our Citrus Heights location
—thank you Citrus Heights for an amazing time, we love our community. Come
visit us just down the road at our location in Arden (1500 Arden Way, Arden
Fair, Sacramento, CA 95815) or check out our other restaurants at www.gen3hospitality.com.”
The restaurant has had multiple incarnations and names in its history going back to the 1970s when the Sunrise Mall was opened.
“We, the management,
were given a week to clear out the restaurant,” Robertson said. Trucks were on
the premises onloading kitchen equipment and supplies on Thursday afternoon.
Questions to Gen 3 Hospitality, LLC, regarding closure of the restaurant were directed to Rossetti Public Relations, a Las Vegas-based public relations agency. A statement released by the agency on behalf of Gen 3 said:
“While Elephant Bar Restaurant at 6063 Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights ceased operations on May 21, 2019, Elephant Bar Restaurant will continue to provide our unparallel service, hospitality and excellent food throughout all other Elephant Bar Restaurant locations including the nearby location in Arden, and other California locations in Torrance, Burlingame and Hayward.”
In March 2018, Las Vegas-based Gen3 Hospitality, LLC, acquired
the brand and its seven units out of bankruptcy from Coast to Coast
Entertainment, Inc. The restaurant was well known for its fusion of Pan-Asian
cuisine and popular American fare, as well as its travel-themed interior décor.
According to Restaurantbusinessonline.com, Elephant Bar Restaurants have been a high-volume operation, generating an average of nearly $4 million in annual sales. The safari-themed restaurants, including the former Citrus Heights location, average 7,800 square feet and 300 seats.
Get more exclusive news about Citrus Heights and support local news by subscribing to The Sentinel. Click here to see subscription options.
*Correction: The original version of this story included a comment from a source indicating that the Elephant Bar location in Citrus Heights was once operated as a Peppermill restaurant. The Sentinel has since confirmed that Peppermill was operated at a different location on Sunrise Boulevard. We apologize for including this inaccurate information.
Citrus Heights 2016 City Council candidates, from left to right. Top: Rick Doyle, Amor Taylor, Jeff Slowey, Porsche Middleton. Bottom: Tim Schaefer, Marcel Weiland, Michael Nishimura, Bret Daniels. // CH Sentinel
Updated Oct. 23, 12:21 a.m.–
In the interest of providing voter information and fair election coverage, The Sentinel has given all eight Citrus Heights city council candidates an equal opportunity to submit written statements on a variety of local issues. Seven of the eight candidates submitted statements by the Oct. 22 deadline, and links are provided below to each candidate’s responses.
Questions included topics of homelessness, enhancing public safety, body cameras, marijuana regulation, fiscal policy, and Measure B. Although agreeing on many issues, candidates hold opposing views on Measure B and police-worn body cameras, and also have differing approaches to enhancing public safety and addressing homelessness.
The top four candidates for city council listed by likely voters interviewed by The Sentinel Monday were Jeff Slowey, Marcel Weiland, Tim Schaefer, and Rick Doyle. // CH Sentinel
Updated Sept. 22, 7:17 a.m.–
A survey of likely voters who attended a Monday-night Citrus Heights city council candidate forum narrowed a field of eight candidates down to four — with attendees notably naming the youngest candidate in the room among their top picks.
Asked to list the top three candidates who stood out for their performance during the two-hour forum, attendees repeatedly named Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey and 26-year-old Marcel Weiland among the top performers of the evening. The only other two candidates to make it into the “top three” list of any of the dozen attendees interviewed by The Sentinel were Planning Commissioner Rick Doyle and businessman Tim Schaefer.
While Slowey, Doyle and Schaefer all hold significant experience, the surprise candidate of the night was Weiland, who is lesser-known and half the age of most of the eight candidates running. With only one exception, the dozen people interviewed all included Weiland in their top three list, often referring to him as “the young guy” and commenting positively on his youthful perspective.
“He is young, but he didn’t talk like he was young,” said 77-year-old Susan Allen, who listed Weiland in her top three, along with Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey and Planning Commissioner Rick Doyle. Asked why she named Weiland, Susan and her husband Forrest both called him “articulate,” and said he “didn’t waffle on any of the questions.”
The 26-year-old Weiland grew up in Citrus Heights near Tempo Park, was homeschooled, graduated from Santa Clara University, served as a legislative analyst with former state Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, and currently works as a director at a financial tech company in Auburn. His experience includes competing in speech and debate during his high school and college years, earning a degree in political science, and notably running against then-state Senator Darrell Steinberg for a senate seat in 2010 at the age of 20.
While making it into the “top three” in the minds of many forum attendees, Weiland faces a tough challenge as voters ultimately have to narrow their choices down to the top two, with only a pair of seats up for election on the five-member city council this November. Candidates Slowey and Doyle will make for a tough race, as each have many more years of local leadership experience, are well-funded, and boast a long list of endorsements.
Schaefer also poses a credible threat and boasts a long history of neighborhood association involvement, formerly serving as the vice president of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH), which hosted the Sept. 19 candidate forum. The 55-year-old ran for city council in 2014 on a “Save City Hall” platform to oppose the plan to tear down and move the old city hall, but lost the election by a margin of about 800 votes.
Candidate Bret Daniels, who previously served on the council for six years, has also demonstrated past leadership and an ability to win elections — but wasn’t mentioned by any of the attendees interviewed by The Sentinel.
Forum attendee Jayna Karpinski-Costa, who serves as president of the SOAR Neighborhood Association, named Schaefer in her top three list, along with Slowey and Weiland. Others like Kathy Kellogg said she had a hard time narrowing the list down to three.
“Gosh, there was so many good ones — only three?” asked the 60-year-old, who told The Sentinel she was still undecided about who to vote for. Kellogg ended up listing Slowey, Doyle and Schaefer, citing their experience, but added that Weiland would be a good pick “if you put him with someone who has experience.”
While Weiland’s youth played a big role in likely voters’ minds, Doyle’s experience won the respect of many attendees interviewed afterward, with his record as a 39-year resident of Citrus Heights and a six-year member of the City’s planning commission. He also boasts the endorsement of the entire city council, outgoing Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan, and all but one of his fellow planning commissioners.
Vice Mayor Slowey also earned respect from attendees as the only incumbent in the race, running on his record as a 13-year veteran council member and taking credit for helping Citrus Heights operate as a city with no debt. “If you like what’s going on in the city, I had a big part to do with a lot of that,” he said in his opening statement.
The remaining three candidates in the race are restaurant manager Michael Nishimura, engineering consultant Porsche Middleton, and Construction Board of Appeals member Amor Taylor. The trio will face a difficult time getting their message out as they are the only candidates who chose not to pay the $700 cost to include a 200-word candidate statement in the November election sample ballot, which is direct-mailed to each voter.
The trio were also the only candidates who signed a campaign finance form declaring they do not intend to raise or spend more than $2,000 in the election. A review of the past two Citrus Heights city council elections found that winning candidates have all raised over $10,000 — with some candidates spending over $20,000.
Candidates will have a second chance to win over more voters at another forum set for Oct. 6, hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce at San Juan High School.
On the Issues The Sept. 19 candidate forum was attended by about 70 people and featured a series of 13 rapid-fire succession questions by moderator Matt Lesenyie, who teaches at UC Davis and is a Ph.D. candidate. Topics ranged from code enforcement, to development approaches and how to stimulate community involvement.
Candidates took seats at chairs usually occupied by city council members during council meetings, each hopeful their answers would bring them one step closer to a four-year seat in the same chair. While many answers lacked specific action plans and uncovered only mild disagreements among the candidates, several issues drew a bit more heated and diverse comments from the eight candidates.
Bret Daniels Daniels, 56, who is a former Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy and former Citrus Heights council member, distinguished himself with a focus on law enforcement, advocating for more officers on the streets and calling public safety the “number one role of government.”
He also criticized the city for failing to listen to the community at times and called an idea floated by Commissioner Doyle to consider new residential dwellings on top of businesses “crazy.” Daniels also took aim at the high cost to taxpayers for Regional Transit services, claiming it would be cheaper to pay for Uber or Lyft to drive RT riders around.
Porsche Middleton
Middleton, 32, spoke most passionately on education and said when she moved to Citrus Heights two years ago with her family and two small children, she “almost didn’t settle here because of the school system.” She, along with Slowey and Schaefer, made the case that improved schools would attract young families to the city, which in turn would reduce blight and enhance the economy.
Tim Schaefer A question about past neighborhood involvement brought out the strengths of Doyle, Slowey, Taylor, Daniels, and Schaefer, while the rest admitted to little or no past involvement in their neighborhood associations. Schaefer served as the past vice president of REACH and also helped lead other neighborhood groups and efforts. As an opponent of new taxes, he questioned whether Measure B would actually repair roads in Citrus Heights and also criticized the new city hall project for draining reserves that could have been spent on roads.
Schaefer also took a controversial jab at Middleton for saying she didn’t attend her neighborhood association meetings because she was working and had small children at home. “The meetings are once a month,” he said. “One time a month, that’s it… it’s not that hard to go to a meeting — it’s a great experience.”
Marcel Weiland
Weiland staked out homelessness as his top issue to address, calling it a “growing issue” that would only get bigger and more expensive to address in the future. He cited a police department study that found over 30 percent of calls for service to the Citrus Heights Police Department are homeless-related and said more collaboration needs to be done with private organizations and groups like the Homeless Assistance Resource Team and food closets. As the youngest candidate running, Weiland also said he would be the best candidate to represent the next generation and the future of Citrus Heights.
Michael Nishimura
Nishimura, 53, listed homelessness and the condition of public streets as his top issues during the forum. He spoke positively of how the city is currently run and said he would continue what is already being done by the City, stating that the image of Citrus Heights has improved over the past 20 years. Regarding traffic, Nishimura advocated accessibility to businesses and voiced concern about people avoiding shopping at Sunrise Mall due to traffic on Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard.
Amor Taylor Taylor, 51, listed homelessness and public safety as her top issues, and also praised the work of faith-based communities in Citrus Heights. She said she began serving on the Construction Board of Appeals due to the her knowledge of construction and access, as a person with a disability. She envisions a city with more shopping areas and businesses to compete better with Roseville.
Jeff Slowey Slowey, 55, called Citrus Heights “the best-kept secret in Sacramento County” and spoke positively of a “city awareness” campaign effort to brand the city as an attractive place to live, work, and play. The current councilman and vice mayor stressed the importance of good schools as the top issue to fix in Citrus Heights and said the San Juan Unified School District could “do better.” He also acknowledged the growing problem of homelessness in the city, but said, “you’re not gonna solve it in Citrus Heights, you’re going to solve it regionally.”
Rick Doyle Doyle, 72, focused on code enforcement several times during the forum, calling blight in the city “a cancer.” Although cautioning that “we certainly do not want to be the gestapo,” Doyle said the police department could host a code enforcement month where code violation issues in neighborhoods could be cracked down on using smartphone picture submissions. He also said the City’s economic development should be “more proactive than reactive,” in order to attract new businesses and developments, like the Dignity Health medical office building set to be built in place of the old city hall.
Michael Nishimura, restaurant manager and current 2016 Citrus Heights city council candidate. Photo submitted by candidate
Note: As part of The Sentinel’s 2016 coverage of local elections, we have asked a series of seven identical questions to each of the candidates running for a seat on the Citrus Heights city council. The questions are designed to give each of the eight candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s life and background. More specific policy questions will be addressed in future articles. Candidates replied via email, and those who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word.
Michael “Mike” Nishimura, restaurant manager | Age: 53
Basic bio: “I grew up in Sacramento and have lived in Citrus Heights for over 25 years. I am currently the General Manager of the Elephant Bar Restaurant in Citrus Heights where I have been for the last 12 years. Previously, I had worked for El Torito Restaurant on Sunrise Blvd for 8 years… My wife Terrie and I are approaching our 20th anniversary and we have a daughter Samantha who just turned 19 and our son Timothy who just turned 17. I also have a step-daughter, Ashley who purchased her first home in Citrus Heights just a few years ago.”
Why are you running for city council?
“I am new to this, but with the City’s 20th anniversary approaching, Henry Tingle’s retirement and with Chief Boyd moving on as City Manager, I believe that we, as a city, are approaching a very important crossroads towards our future and I would like to ensure that we continue to move in the right direction.”
What are three things you like most about living in Citrus Heights?
“It is very affordable and everything is so convenient here. The Police Department has done a terrific job in keeping our neighborhoods safe. And it has just been a perfect place to raise our family.”
What are two books that have had the most influence on your life, and why/how?
“’Green Eggs and Ham’ That was my daughter Sam’s favorite book and I really miss the times I would spend reading with my kids when they were younger. More recently, I have been studying up on the history of Citrus Heights and I have found the ‘Images of America Citrus Heights’ book by Jim Van Maren to be very interesting.”
What are three key principles that would guide your votes on the council, if elected?
“Is it good for the City, People and Businesses of Citrus Heights? Is it fiscally sound for the City? How will it affect our future?”
What are the top three things you’d like to change in Citrus Heights, if any?
“Finding a solution for the homeless population we are starting to see. Continued improvement on our streets and traffic situations. Finding a way to attract more business into the City.”
What kind of volunteer work have you done for charities, churches or service organizations in the community?
“I was PTA President when my kids were in elementary school. I have been a volunteer wrestling coach for both of my kids at the youth level all the way up to High School. I am on the Advisory Committee for San Juan High School’s Culinary arts program. I have been on the Board of Directors for the Sunrise Marketplace Business Improvement District for the last ten years. I am also looking into joining Rotary International’s Passport Club.”
City council members are paid a small monthly stipend of $600 for their service. If elected, how do you plan to balance work life elsewhere with council responsibilities?
“I’m definitely not doing this for the money. Time will be the biggest challenge, but I do have the support of my family and employer so I am confident I will be able to balance work and family life with council responsibilities.”
Citrus Heights 2016 city council candidates, from left to right. Top: Rick Doyle, Amor Taylor, Jeff Slowey, Porsche Middleton. Bottom: Tim Schaefer, Marcel Weiland, Michael Nishimura, Bret Daniels. // CH Sentinel
Updated Sept. 11, 12:58 a.m.–
This November, Citrus Heights voters will have an opportunity to select two candidates from a diverse and crowded race of eight local residents who are all seeking a seat on the city council.
Candidates range in age from 26 to 72 years old, each with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The Sentinel gave each candidate the opportunity to submit written answers to a series of seven identical questions for a candidate profile. Their answers are linked below and published word-for-word, as long as responses were kept under 100 words.
Jeff Slowey, 55, is a vice president for Bank of America and has served on the city council since 2003. He is the only incumbent running in the election, as current councilwoman Sue Frost gave up her seat in order to run for Sacramento County Supervisor this year. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Bret Daniels, 56, is a former Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy and current president of “Our Fallen,” a local nonprofit that works to help families of fallen officers. Daniels previously served on the Citrus Heights city council from 1999 until he resigned in 2005, citing personal and family reasons. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Marcel Weiland, 26, grew up in Citrus Heights, worked in the state capitol, and earned a degree in political science from Santa Clara University. He currently works as director of institutional alliances at Riskalyze, a financial tech company based in Auburn. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Tim Schaefer, 55, is a sales engineer with Ellison Technologies and has also served in various leadership positions in local neighborhood associations. In 2014, he spearheaded a “Save City Hall” effort to oppose the plan to tear down and move the old city hall. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Rick Doyle, 72, is a retired Farmers insurance agent and currently serves on the City’s planning commission. He also heads up a local neighborhood watch group and has served as a volunteer with the Citrus Heights Police Department since 2008. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Porsche Middleton, 32, serves as a project manager at “A Project Ahead,” an engineering consulting company based in the Sacramento area. She moved to Citrus Heights from Alabama two years ago. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Amor Taylor, 51, serves on the City’s Construction Board of Appeals and plans to open a Menchie’s frozen yogurt franchise in Citrus Heights next year. She previously served as director of public policy services for the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Michael Nishimura, 53, is the general manager of the Elephant Bar restaurant in Citrus Heights. He also serves on the board of directors for the Sunrise Marketplace and an advisory committee for the Culinary Academy at San Juan High School. (Click to read full candidate profile)
