Sentinel staff report– Opponents of a $12 million sales tax increase in Citrus Heights are beginning to mobilize to defeat the measure in November.
In addition to an unsuccessful, last-minute attempt to derail the measure during Thursday’s council meeting, opponents have banded together and submitted a ballot argument against the measure, calling the timing of the one-cent sales tax proposal during a pandemic “the absolute worst time.”
The statement also takes aim at the measure’s lack of a sunset date and says “nothing prevents Measure M funds from going to salary increases, pensions, or pet projects voters do not even want.”
Key opponents who signed the ballot argument are Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, City Councilman Bret Daniels, former City Councilwoman Jayna Karpinski-Costa, local American Legion board member Jim Monteton, and Sacramento Taxpayers Association President Bruce Lee.
The statement lists a website of VoteNoOnM.org, but as of Saturday night the website did not appear to be set up with any content.
Proponents of Measure M also submitted their own ballot argument, highlighting that the sales tax is needed to help maintain roads, 911 response, homelessness reduction and other city services. Proponents also note that out-of-town residents who shop in Citrus Heights will be paying “their fair share” to help boost city revenues, rather than the tax burden only falling on residents of Citrus Heights.
Additionally, the statement highlights that the measure would create a Citizens Oversight Committee for fiscal accountability, with all tax revenue required to be spent locally in Citrus Heights.
Proponents who signed the ballot argument in favor of Measure M are local business owner and city “godfather” Bill Van Duker, Police Activities League representative Charles McComish, Sunrise Christian Food Ministry Director Rocky Peterson, lifelong resident Kathy Cook, and neighborhood watch community leader Rick Doyle.
The statement refers to the city’s website, citrusheights.net, to learn more about the measure.
Polling of 404 likely voters conducted by EMC Research in late-June found as much as 71% support for a general purpose sales tax measure, which requires only a bare majority to pass in November.
A city manager’s office spokeswoman confirmed Friday that the polling did not include criteria to see how results might change if organized opposition arose to the measure. A prior tax proposal in 2012, Measure K, failed after only garnering 44% support.
Rebuttals to ballot arguments can also be submitted by each side. The deadline for each side to submit rebuttals is Monday, August 17. Full statements can be viewed online here:
Newly appointed Citrus Heights Councilman Albert Fox is sworn in by City Clerk Amy Van on Friday, as Vice Mayor Steve Miller and Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins look on. // CH Sentinel
In 2005, Citrus Heights resident Albert Fox applied to fill a vacancy on the city council, but didn’t get appointed. More than a decade later, he applied again and was appointed on Friday to fill the vacancy left by Councilman Mel Turner, who passed away last month.
The 71-year-old has become a familiar face to city government since moving to Citrus Heights 16 years ago, serving on the city’s planning commission since 2011. Now retired, Fox formerly served in state law enforcement and also served on the committee responsible for recommending Citrus Heights form its own police department.
Asked for comment following his appointment, Fox said he was “surprised, excited (and) looking forward to the challenge.”
According to a bio included in his application, Fox has also been a college instructor and served in parent-teacher committees in the Fresno City Unified School District and the Buckeye School District in El Dorado County.
In a May 26 interview at city hall with council members, just prior to being appointed, Fox said one of his goals would be attracting young families to Citrus Heights by focusing on housing and schools.
City council members also interviewed eight other residents who had applied to fill Turner’s vacant seat, taking about two hours to have questions answered about public safety, debt, priorities, and whether there was any disagreement with past decisions made by the council.
Familiar faces among the applicant pool included Rick Doyle, Marcel Weiland, Amor Taylor and Porsche Middleton — all of whom ran for city council last year. Jim Monteton, who serves on the board of the Sylvan Cemetery District and ran for city council in 2010, also applied for the position.
Three new faces in the applicant pool were Patrick Moneybrake, Cynthia Kennedy, and Naveen Habib. According to their applications, Kennedy works with the Sacramento County Office of Education, Habib is a senior account executive with Lucas Public Affairs, and Moneybrake is the owner of a Citrus Heights-based chimney cleaning business. (See full applications)
The council made its decision by an initial round of voting to narrow the list of applicants from nine down to three. With each of the four council members writing down their top two picks, the field was narrowed to Fox with three votes, and Porsche Middleton and Marcel Weiland tying with two votes each.
A motion was then made to appoint Fox, who was approved 4-0.
“It was a tough decision because among the other eight applicants, some were equally qualified,” said Mayor Jeff Slowey. “At the end of the day I think the right decision was made.”
Vice Mayor Steve Miller also called the decision difficult and said he was “impressed with everybody.” However, he said Fox stood out from the list because “he was ready to hit the ground running.”
Miller, who applied for the same vacant seat as Fox in 2005, was successfully appointed to the council the same year and has won re-election for each successive term. He encouraged the eight applicants who weren’t appointed to continue involvement in the community, citing his own history of losing a race for city council in 2004 before being appointed the following year.
Other council members also encouraged the applicants to remain involved, with Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins reflecting on the advice she gave to Turner when she heard he was interested in running for city council. “You need to be known in your own community first,” she recalled telling him.
Bruins offered two tips to the room of applicants and about 40 other community members and city staff who attended the May 26 meeting where Fox was appointed. “Get involved in your neighborhood association and take the [chamber of commerce] leadership program,” she said.
Tonya Wagner, who attended Friday’s meeting and formerly served as president of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights, also expressed hope that the other applicants who applied for the vacant seat would remain active and “not just disappear from view.”
Wagner said she was satisfied with Fox’s appointment and credited him with being an engaged member of the community who “knows the issues the city faces.”
Fox will serve on the council through the end of Turner’s term in December, 2018.
Candidates Rick Doyle, left, Marcel Weiland, and Jeff Slowey, right. // CH Sentinel
Latest campaign finance disclosures filed on Oct. 27 show three candidates far outpacing the rest in the race for two seats on the Citrus Heights city council.
Reporting more than $17,000 in contributions, Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey maintained a significant lead over the other seven candidates, but Planning Commissioner Rick Doyle and financial tech director Marcel Weiland also reported receiving more than $10,000 in contributions — more than double what each of the remaining five candidates reported receiving.
Although money doesn’t always dictate who wins and loses, a Sentinel review of local elections back to 2012 found winning council candidates have all raised over $10,000 — with some candidates spending over $20,000.
Who’s funding who?
During the latest reporting period from Sept. 25 through Oct. 22, Slowey picked up an additional $3,800 in contributions. He also reported two extra donations of $1,000 each from a real estate and labor political action committee (PAC) in the past week, bringing his contribution total up to $17,600.
The vice mayor’s top donor in most recent filings was the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC, which donated $1,750. As previously reported on The Sentinel, Slowey’s overall top donor is Kings Management Group, which donated $3,000 and lists Stones Casino as its business address.
Coming in second for fundraising, Doyle reported a $5,400 boost in contributions during the latest reporting period, bringing his total up to $12,400. Doyle’s top donor listed was $2,000 from former Phoenix Casino president Jack Cunningham. He also received a $1,000 donation from Kings Casino Management Group.
Weiland reported another $3,600 in contributions, bringing his total up to $10,200. His top recent donor was also the Chamber PAC, which endorsed both Slowey and Weiland and gave each $1,750. Weiland’s top overall donor remained himself, with $5,800 of his own money donated to the campaign.
Campaign expenditures listed by the trio were largely dominated by campaign mailing expenses to reach voters with direct mail. Slowey has spent the most so far, reporting $11,200 in expenditures — $7,100 of which was spent on several recent mailings.
Both Doyle and Weiland reported about $10,000 in campaign expenditures each, about a third of which was spent on literature and mailing-related costs in the latest reporting period.
Other candidates The remaining five candidates have all reported spending and receiving less than $4,000 each throughout their campaigns. Tim Schaefer reported $3,100 in contributions, although $2,000 of that is in the form of loans to his campaign. Porsche Middleton reported receiving $3,900, and Bret Daniels $3,100.
Candidates Amor Taylor and Michael Nishimura were not required to file disclosure forms, as each filed a statement indicating they planned to spend and receive under $2,000 during the course of their campaigns.
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 Jan. 31, 2017.
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Tim Schaefer, right, sits next to Bret Daniels during a Sept. 19 election forum that featured all eight candidates vying for a seat on the Citrus Heights city council. // CH Sentinel
In a pair of news releases sent out by each campaign Saturday night, city council candidates Bret Daniels and Tim Schaefer announced mutual endorsements of one another and said they are united in opposition to tax increases and the new city hall expenditure.
“Both Tim and I believe that the residents of Citrus Heights would have been better served with a more prudent approach to building the new City Hall,” said Daniels in his statement. Schaefer reiterated the point in his news release, arguing that the $21 million taken from reserves to build the new hall “will impede the City’s ability to fund infrastructure and road repairs for many years to come.”
Daniels, 56, is a former Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy and previously served on the Citrus Heights city council from 1999 until he resigned in 2005, citing personal and family reasons. 55-year-old Schaefer is known for his service in various leadership positions in local neighborhood associations, as well as leading the “Save City Hall” effort in 2014 to oppose tearing down the old city hall.
The pair also focused on opposition to the proposed county-wide sales tax increase to fund road repairs and transportation projects. Daniels and Schaefer are the only candidates opposing Measure B, out of the eight candidates in the race.
“Four years ago, I helped lead the fight against the City’s effort to raise our utility taxes,” said Daniels, referring to Measure K in 2012. “Tim will join me in fighting any effort to raise your taxes, including the effort to pass Measure B.”
Schaefer also questioned the frequent number of unanimous votes by the current council and said he believes “the virtual absence of any dissenting opinions among the current members… demonstrates a significant problem with transparency.”
Although struggling to raise funds and attract voters during two recent election forums, the pair’s unique opposition to Measure B could help secure additional votes in Citrus Heights, based on significant voter opposition to Measure K four years ago. That measure would have increased utility taxes to pay for roadway and public safety improvements, but only received 44 percent of the vote — while needing a two-thirds majority to pass.
The pair still face an uphill battle to unseat incumbent Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey, who has raised the highest campaign war chest and boasts the endorsement of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC and the entire city council. Candidates Rick Doyle and Marcel Weiland also pose a challenge, as Weiland has also received the Chamber PAC’s endorsement and Doyle is backed by a number of high profile leaders and all sitting council members.
Rick Doyle, retired insurance broker and current candidate for Citrus Heights city council. // CH Sentinel
Note: 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 100-word written statements on a variety of local issues. Rick Doyle’s full responses can be found below. See other candidate responses in the article: “Citrus Heights city council candidates on the issues, in their own words”
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)
Homelessness is ranked among the top issues faced by businesses and residents in Citrus Heights. What is your plan to address this and what role do you see private organizations playing? (Be specific)
“For now, the newly funded ‘Navigator’ program started by the HART team seems to be getting great results in ‘navigating’ a large number of the homeless into programs that can help those that want to help themselves onto a path that can help to transition them to self sustainment. We can’t help them all, and will never eliminate homelessness, but this seems to be a program that is working to reduce the numbers significantly. On a small city budget, there is only so much we can do, but this seems to be getting the best results.”
Measure B would raise the sales tax by half a cent throughout Sacramento County to pay for roads and Regional Transit projects. If the vote were held today, would you vote “yes” or “no” on Measure B, and why?
“Like everyone, I’m not in favor of any tax increase. However, because it was drafted to require a two-thirds majority to pass, I can be sure that the funds raised will not be diverted to other causes and will address our badly needed street repairs throughout Sacramento County. Some of the major streets in Citrus Heights would include Auburn Boulevard; San Juan Avenue; Antelope Road; Greenback Lane; and Sunrise Boulevard. It also includes an annual audit and a taxpayer oversight committee. So I will be supporting Measure B.”
One of the City’s strategic planning goals is to enhance public safety. What specifically would you advocate doing to enhance public safety in Citrus Heights?
“With our new police chief, I would be encouraging a continuation of the monthly DUI checkpoints that have already been funded with grant funds. Also, at this point we don’t know what the results of the upcoming election will be, but two propositions ( Prop 57 Early Prison Release and Prop 64 Recreational Marijuana) could both be contributors to public safety. IF they both pass, I would like an assessment from Chief Lawrence to the city council as to his plans to address both.”
Body-worn cameras have been praised by many as a way to increase accountability and decrease false claims against police. Do you believe CHPD should implement body-worn cameras within the next two years? Why, or why not?
“CHPD has already established a solid ‘community oriented’ police dept. in Citrus Heights, and as such has the full faith and support of our citizens. They have reduced crime in every category every year since their inception in 2006. Body cameras will eventually become a necessary piece of equipment for all police forces, but because of the rapport that is already established, I think we could wait for a couple of years before it becomes necessary in our city. It will not be cheap, but I think we should wait for now.”
Many of you have advocated for a fiscally conservative policy and maintaining the City’s history of operating debt free. What is your specific plan to address the growing cost of pensions and maintaining a balanced budget with healthy reserves?
“We need to remain focused on remaining debt free and set priorities as we move forward so that we never overspend beyond our income and continue to maintain a healthy reserve and keep taxes low. Remembering that we don’t receive property tax revenue until 2022, discipline is an absolute necessity as we continue to move forward. We’ve already designated the 6.9 million dollars we will be receiving from Dignity Health to be dedicated to the reserve fund. The utility savings as a result of the new ‘LEED Gold Certified’ city hall can be focused on other expenses as well as other cost saving measures.”
In August, the city council voted 4-0 to oppose Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational marijuana in California. Do you agree with the council’s decision?
“Yes I agree. If we hadn’t taken the initiative to do something before the November election, we would not have been able to have any say so at all. So the decision was to enact city ordinances that would prohibit the establishment of any dispensaries and prohibit any deliveries of product inside the city limits of Citrus Heights. It would involve both medical and recreational marijuana and be triggered only if Proposition 64 is passed. It would include the grow area limits that currently exist with medical marijuana.”
It is well-known that many homeowners choose to ignore required building permits while doing remodel or construction work on their properties, citing permit costs or “excessive regulations.” What would you do to address this?
“The requirement of a building permit is for the protection of the homeowner to insure that they use properly licensed and insured contractors that know the guidelines that are established to be sure the work is done properly and provide the necessary safety protocols. Without such, the homeowner is legally liable in the event of someone being hurt on the job, or workmanship failures that could endanger many lives including the homeowner. A better job of communicating these facts to the intended participant with a brochure depicting the consequences of not proceeding with a proper permit might help.”
What, if any, are two existing city regulations/codes that you think should be changed, and why?
“I’m not personally familiar with all the existing regulations or codes, but those that I’ve been personally exposed to due to a recent remodeling of my personal home, I found to be well thought out and not unreasonable to comply with in any way.”
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.
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)
Rick Doyle, retired insurance broker and current candidate for Citrus Heights city council. // CH Sentinel
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 who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word.
Rick Doyle, retired insurance broker | Age: 72
Basic bio: “39-year resident of Citrus Heights. Grew up in Denver, Colorado and my job moved me to California in early 1970. Moved from Bay Area to Sacramento in September of 1970 and bought my home in Citrus Heights in 1977. Retired Farmers Insurance Agency/Owner after 22 years. Father of 2 and grandfather of 5. High School graduate plus several college courses required for California Insurance Licensing including credentialing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Graduate of Citrus Height Chamber’s 2009/2010 Leadership Academy. Currently serving on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission.”
Why are you running for city council?
1) I love what this city has accomplished since Cityhood and want to see that it continues. If elected, I will see that we remain focused to remaining debt free and maintain a healthy reserve fund to keep taxes low.
2) We inherited a bad image from the County, but we are overcoming that image. If elected, I would increase our focus on our Code Enforcement Team to help us clean up the blighted areas of our city and return the “pride of ownership” factor to our neighborhoods.
3) More focus on bringing good paying professional jobs to our city.
What are three things you like most about living in Citrus Heights?
1) Neighborhood Associations: They give the citizens an opportunity to have some ‘skin in the game’ by working together to bring improvements to their own neighborhoods. When they meet they get to know who their police officers are and for the Police officers get to know them. It’s a great communication tool for all involved.
2) Proximity to everything from Tahoe to the ocean.
3) Safety. An award winning Police Force that keeps our city ahead of the curve when dangerous criminals are being released from state prisons.
What are two books that have had the most influence on your life, and why/how?
1) The Greatest Salesman by Og Mandino – It teaches us all that as we all have fingerprints that are different from anyone else’s, we too are different than anyone else that has ever existed. Therefore we are all unique, and have the ability to control how we live our lives.
2) How to Win Friends and Influence People – By Dale Carnegie – It teaches us that small changes in our own performance can make big differences in our results.
What are three key principles that would guide your votes on the council, if elected?
1) Is it good for the citizens? 2) Is it good for the City? 3) Is it fair to all concerned?
What are the top three things you’d like to change in Citrus Heights, if any?
1) Code Enforcement: Although they do a terrific job now as a “complaint” driven department, I’d really like to see more funds directed their way in increase the number of officers involved. It’s not a major crime, and need not be treated as such, but it is a “cancer” that has grown in our city and needs to have more attention placed on it.
2) More new homes to restore a better balance of Homeowners to Renters. I’d like to see it closer to a 60/40 split with Homeowners being the higher percentage.
3) Higher paying jobs. Seek out more professional business enterprises.
What kind of volunteer work have you done for charities, churches or service organizations in the community?
1) Served as President of my Rotary Club in 1991/1992. 2) Volunteer at CHPD 2008 to present. 3) Served as President of PONA Neighborhood Association 2010. 4) Serve as Director of PONA 2010 to present. 5) Serve as an appointed Planning Commissioner to the City of Citrus Heights 2010 to present. 6) Serve as President of my Neighborhood Watch 2013 to present.
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?
“Easy Answer: I’m retired and can give my full focus on the Council responsibilities. I am looking forward to it.”
Updated Aug. 24, 5:05 p.m.–
With the Aug. 17 filing deadline now passed, a total of eight Citrus Heights residents have qualified to run for one of two city council seats up for election this November.
Names confirmed for the November ballot include current Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey, Planning Commissioner Rick Doyle, former councilman Bret Daniels, and Construction Board of Appeals Member Amor Taylor. The former vice president of the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights, Tim Schaefer, will also appear on the ballot, along with Porsche Middleton, Michael Nishimura, and Marcel Weiland.
The candidates will face off in the Nov. 8 election, with the top two earning four-year seats on the five-member city council. Based on past elections, candidates will likely need to receive 8-10,000 votes in order to win.
Only five of the eight candidates chose to pay the optional $700 cost to include a 200-word candidate statement in the November election sample ballot, which is direct-mailed to each voter.
Vice Mayor Slowey, 55, will be the only incumbent listed on the ballot, as current councilwoman Sue Frost gave up her seat in order to run for Sacramento County Supervisor this year. Slowey works as a vice president for Bank of America and was appointed to the city council in 2003. He won subsequent elections in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
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.
Marcel Weiland, 25, 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.
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.
Rick Doyle, 72, is a retired Farmers insurance agent and currently serves on the City’s planning commission. More than a year out from the election, he was the first to officially file his intention to run for city council and has earned the endorsement of a majority of current council members, including Mayor Jeannie Bruins.
Porsche Middleton, 32, told The Sentinel she recently moved to Citrus Heights from Alabama with her husband and children. Although she did not file a candidate statement, Middleton told The Sentinel she is currently a project manager at “A Project Ahead,” an engineering consulting company based in the Sacramento area.
Amor Taylor, 51, was appointed to serve on the City’s five-member Construction Board of Appeals in 2013. She also did not file a candidate statement, but told The Sentinel she previously served for eight years as director of public policy services for the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and plans to own and operate a Menchie’s frozen yogurt franchise in Citrus Heights, slated to open next year.
Michael Nishimura, 53, is the general manager of the Elephant Bar restaurant in Citrus Heights. Although he did not file a candidate statement, Nishimura told The Sentinel via email Saturday that 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.
*Note: The Sentinel will begin publishing a series of in-depth profiles on each of the eight candidates next week. Find out more about the candidates and get all The Sentinel’s local stories delivered to your inbox each Sunday: subscribe to our free Weekend Edition.
