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Tag: Rocky Peterson

  • President of Sunrise Christian Food Ministry retires after 13 years

    President of Sunrise Christian Food Ministry retires after 13 years

    Rocky Peterson speaks in a video aired during the Citrus Heights City Council’s Nov. 10, 2022, meeting.

    By Mike Hazlip—
    For more than a decade, Rocky Peterson served the community of Citrus Heights through his role as president of the board of Sunrise Christian Food Ministry. Now he’s passing on the reins.

    Peterson was joined by community members to receive an official proclamation in an appearance before the City Council during the Nov. 10 meeting. The council recognized Peterson for his efforts to shape the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry into an organization that serves more than 120 families each day, and thousands every year.

    Councilman Steve Miller read the proclamation aloud during the meeting, calling Peterson an “extremely patient person, wise, and very respected leader of the Citrus Heights faith community.”

    Rosie Cerna, Community engagement manager for Sacramento Food Bank, spoke at the meeting saying she had seen Sunrise Christian Food Ministry grow under Peterson’s leadership.

    “The operation at Sunrise Christian always amazes me,” Cerna said. “Rocky has been on the forefront of innovation for pantries. He set the bar to a level that it has not been set prior to Sunrise Christian coming in.”

    Cerna said Sunrise Christian Food Ministry is in the top five food banks out of 122 agencies that are a part of Sacramento Food Bank’s network.

    April Jacek, director of operations at the local food bank, also spoke at the meeting saying Peterson treated individuals with dignity throughout his tenure.

    Peterson thanked the council and members of the community for their support, saying the needs of the community are growing.

    “We talk about homeless, are people who are living in their cars or living on someone’s couch, or don’t know where they are going to be living. We’re happy to serve those, we don’t have any judgement against people, we have a desire to serve,” Peterson said before the small audience of community members who gave him a standing ovation.

    Councilman Bret Daniels estimated the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry has served about 10 million pounds of food over the 13 years that Peterson has served as president.

    Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins called Peterson a “true leader” saying he is leaving the organization in good hands and has positioned it to move forward after his departure.

  • Opponents mobilize to fight Measure M sales tax proposal in Citrus Heights

    Opponents mobilize to fight Measure M sales tax proposal in Citrus Heights

    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.

    Measure M: Citrus Heights council votes 4-1 to put $12M sales tax increase on ballot

    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.

    See polling results: click here

    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:

    Yes on M: click here

    No on M: click here