Councilwoman Porsche Middleton, file photo. // Courtesy of Middleton
Sentinel staff report– The City of Citrus Heights has been ordered to pay nearly $15,000 to cover legal costs incurred by Councilwoman Porsche Middleton when she sued the city while running as a candidate for City Council last year.
Sacramento County Superior Court documents filed at the end of April, show a tentative ruling ordering the city to pay a total of $14,783.56 to cover Middleton’s attorney fees and legal costs. The ruling was made final on April 26, 2019.
The court listed a breakdown of the fees as 55.5 hours of attorney time at a rate of $250 per hour, with an additional $731.06 “rush filing fee” and a $177.50 administrative fee.
Middleton filed suit last year after the city denied her title of planning commissioner being used on the official election ballot. Middleton, then serving as a planning commissioner, sued and won the right to use her title on the election ballot. She later won election to the City Council in November.
Asked for comment on Friday, Middleton told The Sentinel in an email that it was “unfortunate I had to seek a legal resolution for the right to use my title on the ballot, a right granted to all others in their respective jurisdictions. Thankfully the law was on my side.”
The city manager’s office did not respond to an opportunity for comment on Friday, but the city had argued that Middleton — although serving as a Citrus Heights Planning Commissioner since being appointed in 2017 — did not qualify to have her ballot designation listed as such.
The city argued the position did “not require a principal amount of an individual’s time” and therefore was not one of her “principal professions, vocations, or occupations,” as required by the Elections Code for ballot designations.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Allen Sumner disagreed with the city and sided with Middleton, who had argued that her title as planning commissioner was the most accurate “descriptive identifier.” In court filings, Middleton’s attorney, Brian Hildreth, said her responsibilities on the planning commission “unquestionably” qualified as a principal activity, stating that in 2016 Middleton had closed a consulting business she operated and was spending about 20 hours per week as part of her duties as a commissioner.
Some have disputed Middleton’s assertion. In letters to the editor last September, a current planning commissioner and another former commissioner both questioned Middleton’s assertion and said their duties on the planning commission only required up to 10-20 hours per month.
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Sentinel staff report– Citrus Heights City Council members, with some reservations and caveats, voted unanimously on Thursday to officially oppose controversial statewide legislation known as AB 392 that seeks to narrow the circumstances for when police officers can use deadly force. The council also voted 5-0 to support a law enforcement-backed bill, Senate Bill 230, which would refine use-of-force standards and provide for more officer training.
The pair of resolutions voted on by the council were drafted by Citrus Heights Police Chief Ron Lawrence at the prior recommendation of Councilman Bret Daniels. Lawrence, who was elected president of the California Police Chiefs Association last month, has taken an active role at the state capitol regarding use-of-force legislation.
“AB 392 simply makes it easier to prosecute police officers without providing the training they need to change,” Lawrence told council members during the April 11 meeting. “An officer could be criminalized for trying to do a very dangerous job.”
AB 392, authored by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) with the backing of the American Civil Liberties Union, has undergone several amendments, but retains a key provision to only allow police to use deadly force when “necessary” to prevent imminent death or serious injury.
SB 230 would retain the current standard of “reasonable,” rather than the heightened standard of “necessary,” but would mandate and fund use-of-force training. Amended wording to the proposed legislation calls for “a requirement that officers utilize deescalation techniques, crisis intervention teams, tactics, and other alternatives to force when feasible.”
Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey said the change in wording from “reasonable” to “necessary” would “not do anything but [set] this up for the trial attorneys to have a better chance to prosecute police officers and find them guilty.”
Councilwoman Porsche Middleton initially expressed some reservation about whether the council should move forward with support or opposition to the bills. She said she attended the state assembly’s April 9 hearing on AB 392 and noted recent changes and clarifications to the bill, and also said she had not yet seen recent changes to SB 230 that had been made public only hours before Thursday’s council meeting.
“I would like to see that language written and see that bill analysis before we even move forward,” said Middleton.
David Warren, the only speaker from the public to address the council during public comment on the item, also expressed similar concern. He told the council “the bill as it appeared [during the assembly’s April 9 hearing] is not going to be the bill that goes to the assembly floor, and you may dearly regret your action tonight if you don’t wait until you see the final bill.”
Chief Lawrence as well as Councilman Daniels rejected the concerns. Daniels said it would be “miraculous” for AB 392 to have any substantive change, and Lawrence said the bill could move to the assembly floor rapidly and therefore needed immediate action from the City Council.
At the prompting of Mayor Jeannie Bruins, the council ultimately voted to take their position on each bill “as it is written today.” Middleton, along with the other council members, voted to support a resolution endorsing SB 230 and a separate resolution opposing AB 392 — although Middleton’s vote was with a caveat.
“I will support the Senate Bill (230) with the caveat that our chief of police uses his standing as the statewide president of [Cal Chiefs] to have open conversations on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our community and our officers achieve the best solution possible,” she said. “This bill will change, and it’s important to build bridges within our community.”
Other council members also noted their votes were not without reservation.
Slowey said he would support SB 230 as a less-than-perfect bill, but said “it’s a heck of a lot better than the other piece of garbage,” referring to AB 392.
Councilman Steve Miller said both bills were “just a political response to a tragic event,” but said he would vote along with the council to express his opposition to AB 392.
“I really don’t support either bill,” said Miller. “I don’t think either one is necessary. I think training is a part of what we do every day. I don’t know that we have to codify that.”
AB 392 passed the assembly’s Public Safety Committee in a 6-2 vote on April 9, following several hours of testimony. It has now been sent to the Assembly Rules Committee. SB 230 has not yet been heard in committee.
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Porsche Middleton, center, will join Mayor Steve Miller and Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins on the Citrus Heights City Council. All three received the most votes in the Nov. 6, 2018 election.
Updated 9:45 a.m., Nov. 14– Sentinel staff report–
The race for three seats on the Citrus Heights City Council appears to be decided, after more results were released by elections officials on Friday afternoon.
Porsche Middleton, who currently serves as a Citrus Heights Planning Commissioner, pulled ahead by several hundred more votes to solidify her place in third, earning her a seat on the City Council along with Mayor Steve Miller and Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins, who both won their campaigns for re-election.
Al Fox, who was appointed to the City Council following the death of Councilman Mel Turner in 2017, told The Sentinel he won’t be conceding until the final results are posted, which will happen before the election is certified on Dec. 6th. He and Middleton are separated by about 900 votes, or 2%, as of the latest vote count.
“I think there’s no question that Steve and Jeannie are re-elected. There’s no question about that. I think that the split between Porsche and I will probably remain the same,” said Fox. “I obviously didn’t get the votes I hoped for, but I’m very pleased with how things went.”
Middleton told The Sentinel on Saturday that “[w]hile every ballot has not yet been counted, it would seem that I have a solid position in third place and will be a Citrus Heights City Councilmember.” She said her focus over the next four years will be on business development, maintaining fiscal integrity, and “working closely with the County to develop more effective solutions to help the homeless individuals within our community.”
The 34-year-old had picked up endorsements from elected officials and organizations around the region, including The Sacramento Bee, the Sacramento County Democratic Party, and the Sacramento Association of Realtors. She was also the top fundraiser of the five candidates running — reporting close to $50,000 in total campaign contributions, nearly five times more contributions than Mayor Miller reported receiving.
Candidate Treston Shull, who came in second for fundraising but placed last in the race with about 12% of the vote, told The Sentinel in an email on Friday that he wished the best for the three candidates who won election to the council. “While I was looking for different results, I ran to help make my city better — I will continue to do that, just not as a member of the City Council,” he said.
The latest vote count shows Bruins holding her lead with 27% of the vote, Miller with 21%, Middleton with 20%, and Fox receiving 18% of the vote. Each candidate’s percentages have held steadily each time Sacramento County elections officials have released more results. Additional vote count updates are scheduled to be released each Tuesday and Friday, until election results are officially certified next month.
Update: Additional results released by elections officials on Nov. 13 show all candidates holding the same percentages, with 40,376 total votes now counted in the race. Countywide, officials estimate an additional 94,500 ballots are still waiting to be processed.
Miller and Bruins both told The Sentinel they were pleased with their re-election and look forward to serving another four years. Miller will be serving his fourth term on the City Council and Bruins will be serving her fifth term, having been on the council since 2002. Both have said one of their goals for their next term will be working to improve schools in the city, including the possibility of bringing a charter school to Citrus Heights.
Councilman Bret Daniels, who had endorsed Middleton and is often a lone “no” vote among his colleagues on the council, told The Sentinel he is looking forward to serving with her.
“I think she’ll bring a fresh energetic voice and a perspective that we do not have on the council now,” said Daniels in a phone interview. “I think what we don’t have is a younger voice and a willingness to not just be a head-nod to what staff wants.”
Middleton is slated to take her new seat as a member of the City Council next month.
Vote count results for the Citrus Heights City Council race, as of 11:43 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2018. // Source: Sacramento County Elections Dept.
Sentinel staff report–
Early election results show Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins with a strong lead in the race for Citrus Heights City Council, followed by Mayor Steve Miller in second place and Planning Commissioner Porsche Middleton in third. As of late Tuesday night, about 500 votes separated Middleton from appointed incumbent Albert Fox, who was in fourth place.
Want the latest results? Updated vote totals will be included in The Sentinel’s Midweek e-Edition on Thursday afternoon. Click here to sign up.
Fox’s campaign manager, Frank Ford, told The Sentinel the race was too close to call, as of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Additional results are slated to be released by Sacramento County elections later this week as more ballots are counted.
Countywide, the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters Office reported that 171,994 ballots had been counted as of 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, with a total of 764,998 registered voters in the County.
Bruins, who sought her fifth term on the City Council, claimed victory Tuesday night, telling The Sentinel she was “very grateful that the voters have given me four more years to serve this wonderful community.” Results available at midnight on Election night showed her garnering 27% of the 22,868 votes counted.
Although placing last in results released so far, Shull, a newcomer to the City Council race, told The Sentinel Tuesday night there were still “too many ballots left to know the outcome.” Other candidates in the race were not immediately able to be reached for comment.
The top three vote-getters will each earn a four-year term on the five-member City Council and are slated to be seated during the first council meeting in December.
Note: A full story with latest vote totals for the Citrus Heights City Council will be published in The Sentinel’s Midweek e-Edition. Click here to sign up.
Signs and even billboards for Citrus Heights City Council candidates have appeared around town, including these at the intersection of Antelope Road and Auburn Boulevard. // CH Sentinel
Sentinel staff report–
Latest campaign finance disclosures filed on Oct. 27 show an unprecedented amount of cash is being spent in the race for three seats on the Citrus Heights City Council this year.
The latest financial filings cover a reporting period of Sept. 23 through Oct. 22 and show newcomers in the race continue to outspend long-seated incumbents Mayor Steve Miller and Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins, who are both up for re-election this year along with Councilman Al Fox, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council last year.
Porsche Middleton, a Planning Commissioner seeking a seat on the City Council this year, continues to top the list for most contributions received, reporting an additional $7,000 received in the latest reporting period — bringing her total contributions for the year to just over $48,000. Her latest contributions came largely from the California Apartment Association PAC, the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, and the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee, each of whom gave $1,000 or more to her campaign. Her total expenditures are listed at about $45,000, with latest large expenses listed as $1,600 to Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc., likely for several large billboards her campaign has taken out in the city, and another $1,700 to GoDaddy for web-related services.
By comparison, at this time in the race for City Council two years ago, two of the top three candidates that year only reported receiving about $10,000 apiece in contributions, while Councilman Jeff Slowey topped the list with $17,600 in donations. Slowey won re-election that year and was the top vote-getter, but money didn’t end up being the determining factor for the other winner, Bret Daniels, whose campaign reported less than $5,000 in contributions and spent less than $3,800 during the entire campaign.
Coming in second place for contributions so far this year is labor relations manager Treston Shull, who reported receiving an additional $5,500 during the latest period, bringing his total contributions for the year up to $30,500. His latest contributions came largely from the San Francisco Laborer’s Local 261 PAC and the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria, which gave $1,500 and $2,000, respectively. His total expenditures are listed at about $24,000, with top expenditures going to TabCommunications, Inc., for campaign management, along with significant expenses related to postage, mailing and literature.
Councilman Fox came in third for contributions, reporting the receipt of another $5,600 during the latest reporting period, which brings his total contributions for the year over the $20,000 mark. The bulk of his latest funding came from a trio of $1,000 donations from the Sacramento Metro Chamber, the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC, the Rental Housing Association PAC, and a $900 donation from Gail Sanders, an individual contributor who listed her address as that of Roseville-based Sanders and Associates Geostructural Engineers. Fox’s most recent large expenses have been about $5,000 on mailing-related services and printing.
Vice Mayor Bruins reported receiving an additional $4,500 in the latest reporting period — largely from the California Association of Apartments PAC, Sacramento Metro Chamber PAC, and Republic Services — bringing her total contributions to just over $16,000. Her total expenditures are listed at about $10,750, with the majority going towards campaign mailers and literature.
Mayor Miller still lags behind the other candidates in funding and expenditures, reporting an additional $3,000 in contributions during the latest period from the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC, Republic Services, and the Sacramento Metro Chamber. In total this election, he’s brought in about $9,800 and spent just under that, with his largest expense being about $2,400 spent on a campaign mailer.
Campaign disclosures are required by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for local candidates who raise or spend over $2,000. Two pre-election disclosure filings are required by the commission, one covering a period through Sept. 22 and the other a month later. An additional requirement for candidates to file a separate form each time a donation of $1,000 or more is received.
The next reporting deadline is not until Jan. 31, 2019.
To view all candidates financial disclosure filings, click here.
The five candidates running for Citrus Heights City Council in 2018 are, from left to right: Steve Miller (top), Jeannie Bruins, Porsche Middleton. Bottom, Al Fox, Treston Shull.
Sentinel staff report–
Big money is pouring into the Citrus Heights City Council race this year, with amounts already topping the usual $10-20,000 raised by candidates in order to win local election.
According to the latest campaign finance filings, Porsche Middleton’s campaign has by far out-raised and out-spent all other campaigns, reporting total contributions for the year at $41,139 and expenditures at $39,768. Treston Shull came in second for fundraising with a total of $25,000, followed by appointed incumbent Al Fox, and incumbents Vice Mayor Jeannie Bruins and Mayor Steve Miller. The mayor is the only candidate to report less than $10,000 in donations for the year.
Her largest expenditure has been a $5,000 payment to the law firm of Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk, LLP, which represented her in suing the City of Citrus Heights for the right to have her title of Planning Commissioner included on election ballots.
Bruins’ top donor is SAFE Credit Union, which donated $2,000 to her campaign this year, followed by three donors who each gave $1,000 to her campaign: King’s Casino, the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC and longtime resident and land owner Ted Mitchell. Her total contributions through the latest Sept. 22 reporting period were listed at $11,515, with at least another $1,000 contribution coming in after the filing period from the Sacramento Metro Chamber PAC. (Candidates are required to file a supplemental report within 24 hours of receiving a contribution totaling over $1,000.)
Of the $3,600 she reported spending through the last reporting period, her largest expenditure was around $1,500 spent on campaign signs.
Shull reported receiving $25,000 in total contributions, along with another $2,000 donation by the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria that came in after the September filing period. Shull, who works as a labor relations manager, reported top donors from six labor political action committees who each gave his campaign $2,500 apiece.
Of the $16,000 his campaign has spent so far, his largest expenditure has been $5,000 in campaign consulting expenses paid to Tab Communications, a Fair Oaks-based consulting firm that has also managed campaigns for Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones.
Fox reported receiving about $15,000 in total contributions through Sept. 22, soon followed by another $12,000 in large contributions. Fox’s top donors are three PAC’s who each donated $5,000 apiece: Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association PAC, Associated Builders andContractors Northern California Chapter PAC, and Western Electrical Contractors Association Good Government PAC. Of the $8,600 his campaign reported spending, Fox’s largest expenditure has been $4,005 for campaign signs.
Mayor Miller, who is seeking his fourth term on the City Council, showed the least amount of fundraising activity through the Sept. 22 filing period, with just $6,800 in total contributions reported. Since then, he has only reported receiving an additional $3,000 from a trio of thousand-dollar donations, bringing his total campaign contributions for the year to just under $10,000.
Of the $5,800 his campaign spent, his largest expenditure reported was $2,343 to A-Applied Mailing Service, likely for his early campaign mailer that hit mailboxes across Citrus Heights during the first week vote-by-mail ballots were sent out.
Campaign disclosures are required by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for local candidates who raise or spend over $2,000. Two pre-election disclosure filings are required by the commission, with an additional requirement for candidates to file a separate form each time a donation of $1,000 or more is received.
The next FPPC reporting deadline is Oct. 25, 2018. To see all the candidates’ full campaign finance filings, click here.
Have an opinion about the local election? Submit a letter to the editor for publication by clicking here.
The five candidates running for Citrus Heights City Council in 2018 are, from left to right: Steve Miller (top), Jeannie Bruins, Porsche Middleton. Bottom, Al Fox, Treston Shull.
Sentinel staff report– The five residents running for three seats on the Citrus Heights City Council have varying views when it comes to homelessness, mandatory rental inspections, rent control, red light cameras, under-performing schools, economic development, and whether the new gas tax is a good way to fund local road repairs.
In responses to a nine-question survey sent out by The Sentinel, candidates offered their position on each issue in 100 words or less, giving voters an opportunity to see where each candidate stands on issues affecting Citrus Heights.
A question about Proposition 6, which seeks to repeal the new gas tax as a way to fund transportation-related projects and local road repairs, was among the questions drawing varied responses. Candidate Porsche Middleton, who currently serves as a City Planning Commissioner, was the only candidate to state clear opposition to Prop 6, while others either expressed support for the repeal effort or did not provide a clear answer. Middleton was also the only candidate to state clear opposition to the city’s red light camera program.
Asked about rent control, none of the candidates took positions in favor of implementing such controls in Citrus Heights, although Middleton said she was “open to a community wide discussion on the stabilization of rent” for vulnerable populations.
On the topic of accomplishing the City’s strategic goal to “enhance and expand” public safety, Mayor Steve Miller and candidate Treston Shull each offered the most specific plans in their responses.
Shull, a labor relations manager who also volunteers on the Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association board, said the city is less safe today than it was four years ago and advocated for adding more police patrols. Miller, who has served on the City Council since being appointed in 2005, said he would work to “step up patrols” at all the parks in the city, “specifically targeting drug and alcohol use.”
On improving education, candidates were split on whether to work with the San Juan Unified School District or pursue other means. Jeannie Bruins, who was first elected in 2002 and is currently serving as vice mayor, has advocated for pursuing a charter school and said she’s “ready to partner with other education providers if SJUSD isn’t going to listen.”
The three incumbents, Miller, Bruins and appointed incumbent Al Fox, were the most likely trio to share similar views in their responses to questions on various issues — including on whether the City Council made the right decision in August to vote on pursuing a mandatory inspection program for thousands of rental homes and apartments in Citrus Heights. All three incumbents voted to pursue the program, although a finalized ordinance still has to be presented to the council for a vote.
Fox said rental inspection programs, properly administered, can be a “safeguard” for owners and occupants, while Shull and Middleton both criticized the $500,000 proposed program as the wrong approach and one that would add fees and increased costs to already expensive rental prices.
The area of most agreement between the five candidates was on how to best allocate the estimated $5-6 million annually that will become available in 2022, when Citrus Heights finally begins to receive its share of property taxes, after a 25-year “revenue neutrality” agreement with Sacramento County comes to a close. Most agreed that a portion should be allocated for reserves and a portion should be invested in road repairs.
See each candidates’ full, 100-word responses to each of the nine questions on local issues:
Note: In the interest of providing voter information and fair election coverage, The Sentinel has given all five Citrus Heights City Council candidates an equal opportunity to submit 100-word written statements on a variety of local issues. Porsche Middleton’s word-for-word responses can be found below.
Porsche Middleton
Porsche Middleton, 34, was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission last year after a prior run for City Council in 2016 and is now seeking another chance to win a seat on the council. She has lived in Citrus Heights for four years and has earned endorsements from the California Apartment Association, Firefighters Local 522 and the Sacramento Association of Realtors. (Click to read full candidate profile)
One of the City’s three-year strategic planning goals is to enhance and expand public safety. What specifically would you advocate doing to accomplish this goal?
“I am appreciative of the hard work, effort, and bravery that is consistently displayed by the men and women of our law enforcement departments. I would continue to support and further develop our Community Oriented Policing (COP) program and encourage the development of closer relationship between our local departments and the communities they serve through PAL, service organizations, and domestic service providers.
“I believe that when residents experience frequent positive interactions with their department in non-emergency situations, they are more likely to have a positive experience should an emergency occur.”
Homelessness continues to be ranked among the top issues faced by businesses and residents in Citrus Heights. What additional actions do you believe should be taken to address this, and what role do you see private organizations playing?
“Homelessness is a challenge for Citrus Heights. I will continue the efforts of working with the County to increase services which includes additional funding for mental health issues. Citrus Heights must be an active partner with the County on investing in homeless services.
“Thus far, we have successfully established a Navigator program that works with the CHPD and local community organizations such as HART. We should also look into more state and federal funding for block grants that could be used for housing assistance, mental health services and drug treatment.”
In August, the City Council voted 4-1 to pursue a $500,000 mandatory inspection program for thousands of rental homes/apartments in Citrus Heights. Do you believe the council made the right decision?
“The decision of the council to implement mandatory rental inspection, while good intentioned, will have unintended consequences, such as higher rents, reduction of available rental housing and shorter-term leases that will allow property owners to circumvent actually having property inspections.
“There is also the issue that the annual fee will be passed on to renters, many of which are seniors or living on fixed incomes further jeopardizing their ability to afford a home especially since rents in the region are increasing.”
In four years, Citrus Heights will finally begin receiving its share of property taxes (estimated over $5 million/yr), due to a 25-year “revenue neutrality” agreement with the county as a condition of incorporation coming to a close. How do you think that money would be best allocated, and why?
“It is wonderful that the city will begin to receive our property taxes, however the amount of $5 million of additional revenue per year will need to be spent wisely since our reserves at that time according to the city budget will be approximately $500,000. We should maintain the model that has served us well and save part of the property tax, use a portion for infrastructure improvements and possibly use a small portion to help fund programming that supports our community.”
Proposition 6 seeks to repeal SB 1, which increased gas taxes and vehicle licensing fees to help cover transportation-related projects. How will you vote on Prop 6 and what option(s) for road maintenance in Citrus Heights will you advocate for if SB 1 funding goes away?
“I will vote no on the repealing of SB 1. This is an opportunity for Citrus Heights to catch up on years of unfunded maintenance needs that have plagued residents for years. Without this funding the city will be forced to continue repairs on our aging infrastructure in the same manner, repairing the worst areas and waiting until we receive our property taxes in a few years to begin repairs on what is left.”
Proposition 10 seeks to allow local governments to enact rent control on any type of rental housing. If Prop 10 passes, would you be in favor of implementing rent control in Citrus Heights?
“Before any decision is made to implement rent control in Citrus Heights, there needs to be a critical review and evaluation that allows for open community engagement and input. I believe that continuing to develop infill areas, establishing a fee structure for commercial and residential building in conjunction with having a percentage of affordable units will yield greater inclusion of affordable housing and economic growth in our community but I am open to a community wide discussion on the stabilization of rent for those who are most venerable in our community low income families, seniors, veterans and the disabled.”
Nearby cities of Roseville, Rocklin and Davis have voted to discontinue their redlight camera programs in recent years. If elected to the council, would you vote to renew the City’s contract with Redflex and continue redlight cameras in Citrus Heights? Why or why not?
“There is a spirit of the law and there is the letter of the law. We don’t want people running red lights, but red-light cameras have been proven to be ineffective and only serve to send our tax dollars outside of the city as most of the fine goes to a private company. It is important to reduce our traffic collisions and fatalities, and this can be accomplished with continued DUI enforcement, targeted traffic enforcement and motorist, pedestrian and distracted driving education.”
Schools in Citrus Heights have long been criticized as under-performing. Although the San Juan Unified School Board is ultimately tasked with governing local schools, what role (if any) do you believe the City Council can play in improving education in Citrus Heights?
“Providing a quality education for our youth has been on going concern for over 10 years. To facilitate open communication and allow educational issues to be adequately addressed, I would work to form a School City Liaison Committee. This committee would be comprised of District and City staff working together to benefit the community on educational matters impacting students in Citrus Heights.
“The committee meetings would include input from parents and allow them to address their concerns. The City Council and Board of Education members would receive reports about these issues to provide direction on possible solutions.”
Citrus Heights has striven to be a business-friendly city ever since its incorporation in 1997. What more do you believe could be done to attract new businesses and help existing businesses thrive in Citrus Heights?
“As a city we need to attract developers to Citrus Heights. This starts by encouraging strategic business redevelopment activity by offering financial incentives, performance-based incentives or rebate a portion of taxes and fees to development projects that meet public purpose goals or performance thresholds set by the city. This allows for the acceleration of redevelopment activity necessary for continued growth.”
Want to see where the other four candidates stand on local issues? Click here
Citrus Heights City Council 2018 candidates, from left to right. Top: Steve Miller, Jeannie Bruins, Porsche Middleton. Bottom: Al Fox, Treston Shull.
Updated Oct. 8, 5:10 p.m.– Sentinel staff report–
Beginning Oct. 8, vote-by-mail ballots will be sent to registered voters, and those in Citrus Heights will have a chance to choose from among five candidates vying for three seats on the City Council this year.
Three current council members, including the mayor and vice mayor, are all seeking to hold onto their seats, while two newcomers are seeking to add a fresh voice on the five-member council. Although several fringe candidates during the last City Council election two years ago only managed to pull a few percentage points, each candidate this year boasts strong endorsements from various officials and organizations.
To give candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to residents and give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s life and background, The Sentinel gave each candidate the opportunity to submit written answers to a series of seven identical questions.
Candidate answers are linked below and published word-for-word, as long as responses were kept under 100 words. More specific policy questions will be addressed in future articles as part of The Sentinel’s 2018 local election coverage.
Steve Miller, 60, is currently serving a one-year term as the City’s mayor and is running for his fourth term on the City Council, after first being appointed to fill a vacancy in 2005. He has lived in Citrus Heights for 32 years and lists three of his fellow council members among his top endorsements. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Treston Shull, 34, currently serves as treasurer for the Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association and is seeking to be a new voice on the City Council. He has lived in Citrus Heights for five years and has earned endorsements from Supervisor Sue Frost, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association PAC and the Sacramento County Probation Association. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Porsche Middleton, 34, was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission last year after a prior run for City Council in 2016 and is now seeking another chance to win a seat on the council. She has lived in Citrus Heights for four years and has earned endorsements from the California Apartment Association, Firefighters Local 522 and the Sacramento Association of Realtors. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Jeannie Bruins, 71, is currently serving a one-year term as the City’s vice mayor and is running for her fifth term on the City Council, after being first elected to office in 2002. She has lived in Citrus Heights for 34 years and has been endorsed by Supervisor Sue Frost, former Congressman Doug Ose, and Senator Jim Nielsen. (Click to read full candidate profile)
Al Fox, 73, is currently serving as a council member after being appointed in 2017 to fill a vacancy left by the late Councilman Mel Turner, who died last year. He has lived in Citrus Heights for 18 years and has been endorsed by Supervisor Sue Frost, Sheriff Scott Jones, and Connie Turner, who was the wife of Councilman Turner. (Click to read full candidate profile)
The top three candidates who receive the most votes after the Nov. 6 election will each win four-year terms on the City Council. According to the City Clerk’s Office, Citrus Heights has 43,747 registered voters, as of July 3, 2018.
Beginning this week, vote-by-mail ballots may be placed in a drop box in the lobby of Citrus Heights City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Citrus Heights City Council Chambers will also open as a Vote Center from Oct. 27 through Nov. 6, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including weekends. On Election Day, Vote Center hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
*Correction: An initial version of this story incorrectly stated Bruins was seeking her fourth term on the City Council. She is seeking her fifth term.
Planning Commissioner Porsche Middleton is running for a seat on the Citrus Heights City Council. // Photo courtesy of candidate
Note: As part of The Sentinel’s 2018 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 five 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.
Porsche Middleton, Citrus Heights Planning Commissioner | Age: 34
Top Endorsements: Firefighters Local 522, California Apartment Association and the Sacramento Association of Realtors
Basic bio: “My family has lived in Citrus Heights for 4 years. My family was military and we traveled around the country. My husband and I met in Engineering school and I have a bachelor’s degree from University of Louisville. The past several years I have been actively involved in our community including serving as a member of several boards that serve our youth and support local businesses, Rotary club member, graduate of the Citrus Heights Chamber, Leadership Program and serve as a Planning Commissioner.”
Why are you running for City Council?
“It is important that city governments understand that working families are the backbone and the economic engine of local communities. My top three issues are; economic development, public safety, and quality of life. I am running for city council because I can bring a unique perspective and utilize my dynamic background to ensure that we continue to move in the right direction.”
What are two things you like most about living in Citrus Heights?
“My family enjoys the open spaces and the family friendly community events in our city. We are annual participants of many city sponsored events like Sunday Funday and the annual Christmas tree lighting. We also attend events sponsored by our local community organizations such as the GFWC Taste of Citrus Heights that supports the CHPD and the American Legion Battle of the Bands and BBQ which supports the Vets Helping Vets Fund.”
What are the top two things you’d like to change/improve in Citrus Heights, if any?
“As a previous small business owner for over a decade, I have a strong understanding of what small and emerging businesses need to be successful. I have worked with other business owners and chambers of commerce to determine how we can address fees and utilize city partnerships to create opportunities for small businesses to succeed; this includes the development of incubator spaces and small grant programs. Homelessness is a challenge for Citrus Heights. I will continue the efforts of working with the County to increase services which includes additional funding for mental health issues. Citrus Heights must be an active partner with the County on investing in homeless services. Thus far, we have successfully established a Navigator program that works with the CHPD and local community organizations such as HART.”
What are two books that have had the most influence on your life, and why/how?
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. I rediscovered this book with my boys; it is a powerful story about a tree who loves a little boy and gives anything that she can without regard for what she will receive in return and it serves as a reminder about the gift of giving, and accepting different the ways in with others return affection.
Do the Work, by Steven Pressfield. I stumbled upon this book a few years ago. Simply put it’s not about better ideas; it’s about actually doing the work necessary to be successful, find fulfillment and create a meaningful life. It serves as a reminder that no one else can do the work for you because the goal is about finding your limits and growing past them, combating your inner doubts and you can only accomplish this by showing up and doing the work everyday.
What are three key principles that would guide your votes on the council?
“It is the most important job of an elected official to listen to the people who they represent. Being a city leader involves gathering all available information to make informed decisions on what would most benefit the community. What will guide my votes on the council are: a) Is it necessary and does it fall in line with wants/needs of the community. b) How will this vote impact the city budget. c) What is the overall impact of this vote.”
What kind of volunteer work have you done for charities, churches or service organizations in the community?
“I have true desire to represent the community of Citrus Heights and my husband and I volunteer in every possible manner to set an example for our two boys; I serve as a planning commissioner, I sit on the board of several organizations whose focus is improving local communities and offering pathways for our youth to be successful. I volunteer my time to work with Veterans and their spouses to fill out the necessary paperwork to help them receive their VA benefits. I am a Rotarian, VFW member and Citrus Heights American Legion Auxiliary member.”
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 have an amazing support system; between grandma, family, and friends, I have been able to stay at home and care for my family like my parents did with me. This also allows me the flexibility to set my own schedule and participate in an extensive amount to community and volunteer work. It’s never easy to balance a life full of commitments but a strong foundation of support will continue to be the key to my success.”
