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Tag: Tim Schaefer

  • Election 2020: Who’s running for Citrus Heights City Council?

    Election 2020: Who’s running for Citrus Heights City Council?

    Citrus Heights Council candidates from left to right: Tim Schaefer, Bret Daniels, Nicole Castor, Thomas Goetz.

    Updated Sept. 9th, 9:07 p.m.–
    Sentinel staff report– With two seats up for election on the Citrus Heights City Council this year, a total of four residents have qualified to run for the positions.

    Candidates for the District 3 seat are current Planning Commission Chairman Tim Schaefer and technical engineer Thomas Goetz. Candidates for the District 1 seat are Councilman Bret Daniels and environmentalist Nicole Castor.

    Notably, Daniels is the only candidate on the ballot who is also currently serving as a council member, as Mayor Jeff Slowey announced he will not be seeking another term. In a normal election year, Daniels would be referred to as an “incumbent,” but due to the city’s shift to district-based elections this year, there is technically no incumbent for the newly created District 1 seat.

    Election 2020: Citrus Heights mayor won’t seek another term

    Three of the four candidates paid for 200-word ballot statements to be included in the county’s sample ballot, which is direct-mailed to each voter. Each candidate’s statement is included below.

    The Sentinel also gave an opportunity for Castor to include a 200-word statement in this article, although her statement will not be on the sample ballot.

    Citrus Heights’ new district map was adopted in 2019.

    Thomas Goetz (District 3)
    My name is Thomas Goetz. I’m a technical engineer, veteran, homeowner, and neighbor. I am running for city council to make our community the priority of the city, including those most in need. As someone who was lucky enough to be able to rebuild from homelessness, I know the challenges that homelessness comes with and how impossible those can be to overcome.
    We know that tiptoeing around the housing issue will not solve it. The only way I was able to get back on my feet was by having a place to live. As a community, I know we can provide that to our neighbors.
    As a veteran, I know the right thing is very rarely the easy thing, and as a former member of the Army’s MP Corps. I know that doing it the right way makes it even harder. But I know the right thing is obtainable when people come together and do what’s best for the community as a whole. If I’m elected, I know we can obtain that for Citrus Heights.
    Visit www.GoetzCitrusHeights.com for more information or to contact me directly.

    Tim Schaefer (District 3)
    Born and raised in Santa Cruz California, I joined U. S. Army where I served in the military police. Following my service, I attended Cabrillo College. I moved to Citrus Heights and raised my family. Currently I’m Director of Training for Sacramento Valley Manufacturing Initiative, administering manufacturing apprenticeship programs.
    I’m uniquely qualified to serve on the Citrus Heights City Council. I served 2 years as president of Parkoaks Community Association and am currently a Citrus Heights Planning Commissioner. I served as Chairperson for Save City Hall, a successful grassroots effort to keep city hall in Fountain Square. I am a member of the Sacramento County Taxpayers Association where I advocate spending your taxes wisely. I am thoroughly knowledgeable of how Citrus Heights came from a pay-as-go city having a $32 million surplus in the bank to being a debtor city. I am committed to straightening out this mess. Find out more about me at www.electtim.org.
    I am convinced we can fix our roads and address other important needs through frugal management of our budget.
    If you’ll vote for me as your councilman, I will work hard to be a good steward of your trust by committing my energy and experience to being an involved and reachable Councilmember.
    Contact: Tim Schaefer (916) 207-7282 or tim@electtim.org.

    Bret Daniels (District 1)
    It has been a privilege and honor to serve you these last four years. My focus will continue to be your safety, your quality of life, and our economic vitality. We have experienced a declining crime rate for the last four years. Our neighborhoods are thriving. We enjoy a diverse mix of businesses and restaurants. Life is good but there is more to do.
    We must deal more strongly with the negative aspects of homelessness by helping those that want help but not tolerating the behavior of those that do not. We must dedicate more resources to keeping the city cleaner. We must embrace our youth and celebrate our seniors. And we must do so without raising your taxes.
    The area around the mall enjoys amazing revitalization but the mall is tired and old. We must embrace a significant but realistic remodeling of the property and make it our highest priority.
    My pledge is to make your life better and your decision to live, work, and play in Citrus Heights the best decision you ever made for you and your family. My supporters include my wife, my kids, my neighbors, and hopefully you. Reach me at BretDanielsForCityCouncil.com, Facebook.com/CouncilmanBretDaniels or (916) 870-7199.

    Nicole Castor (District 1)
    As a longtime resident of Citrus Heights, I have enjoyed living in a city that manages to stay affordable while still being a safe, nice area to raise a family. I love that the community is what makes it nice – we take great pride in our gardens, value self-sufficiency, we look out for each other and help our neighbors. We have much to be proud of considering what a small budget we have!
    I am a mother, an environmentalist, and a community activist. I studied Sociology at Sacramento State and earned my BA in 2008. As far as political experience, I was recently re-elected to the County Council of the Green Party of Sacramento County. In my second term, I am continuing my work in serving as our Co-Coordinator as well as Legislative Advocate.
    I am proud to be endorsed by the local chapters of the Green Party and the Peace and Freedom Party.
    I hope to be one of our city’s next leaders, and am ready to help bring fresh ideas for our city. Please vote Nicole Castor for City Council this November!

    Additional articles about each candidate’s background and positions on local issues will be published in the coming weeks. Sign up for The Sentinel’s free weekly editions, sent out each Thursday and Sunday: Click here to sign up.

    *This article originally referred to Daniels as an “incumbent” for the District 1 seat, but has since been updated to refer to him as being the only sitting member of the City Council who will appear on the ballot this year.

  • Citrus Heights News Briefs: election, $1M bail, police, obituary

    Latest local news briefs include supportive messages written to police from area children, a judge rejecting a request to lower $1 million bail for a man accused of assaulting a police officer, six residents pulling papers to run for City Council, and an obituary for a San Juan High School alumnus.

    Six residents pull papers to run for council in Citrus Heights
    As of Friday, the City Clerk’s office reports that six residents have so far pulled papers to run for seats up for election on the Citrus Heights City Council. Allison Sanchez, Nicole Castor and incumbent Bret Daniels have pulled papers for District 1, while Tim Schaefer, Thomas Goetz and Kevin Miles Jr. have pulled papers for the open seat in District 3. The deadline to file is August 7. (See more)

    Judge rejects request to reduce bail for Citrus Heights man held on $1M
    A Citrus Heights man accused of assaulting a police officer remains in jail after a judge denied a request to lower his $1 million bail, according to a report Tuesday by the Davis Vanguard’s Court Watch team. (See article)

    Citrus Heights police share supportive messages received from community
    Citrus Heights Police Chief Ron Lawrence retweeted a message showing hand-written letters, flowers and children’s drawings the department has received in support of police officers. “Thank you for your unwavering support of YOUR @citrusheightspd,” Lawrence tweeted. “Your partnership means more in these uncertain times, than ever before.”

    Obituary: Major Adair (1951-2020)
    San Juan High School alumnus Major Adair passed away on July 16 after battling cancer, according to an obituary published Friday in The Sacramento Bee. Adair was born in Missouri in 1951 and moved to Citrus Heights the following year where he graduated from SJHS in 1971 and worked in the railroad industry for 37 years. He is survived by two sons and four grandchildren. (See obituary)

    News Briefs are published each Sunday in The Sentinel’s Weekend e-Edition. To subscribe free, click here.

  • More businesses closing amid plans for major shopping center remodel

    More businesses closing amid plans for major shopping center remodel

    Sunrise Village shopping plaza is located at 5425 Sunrise Blvd. // CH Sentinel

    Sentinel staff report–
    Following last month’s closure of a popular Chinese restaurant in the Sunrise Village shopping plaza, several other businesses will also be closing their doors in advance of plans for a major remodel and expansion at the center.

    Related: Major renovation proposed for 15-acre shopping center in Citrus Heights

    Plans for remodeling the 15-acre shopping center, located on the northwest corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue, received a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission in January. The proposal is slated for a final vote by the City Council on Feb. 27.

    Benihana, a popular Japanese restaurant with over 70 locations nationwide, is among businesses slated to close at the center, with Sunday, Feb. 23, being its final day. “Our lease at Benihana Sacramento has expired and the landlord is redeveloping the center,” restaurant spokeswoman Jeannie Means told The Sentinel in an email Wednesday.

    Popular Chinese restaurant in Citrus Heights closes; plans to relocate

    Planning Commission Chairman Tim Schaefer told The Sentinel on Wednesday there wasn’t much discussion of what would happen to existing tenants at the center during last month’s public hearing about the project, other than a spokesman for the developer confirmed that Benihana would be closing. Schaefer said commissioners were “all very disappointed” to hear about the impending closure.

    Tuesday Morning is also closing its location at the center and will be re-locating to 7255 Greenback Lane, in the same shopping center as Sam’s Club. As of Wednesday, the store at Sunrise Village was almost completely empty, with only clearance items remaining. A sign outside the new location on Greenback Lane lists Feb. 29 as the opening date.

    Benihana also indicated plans to relocate in the future, with their spokeswoman saying “we would like to return when we find an ideal location.”

    Benihana’s current location in Sunrise Village is slated for demolition, as part of property owner Merlone Geier Partners’ plans for the center. A leasing map on Merlone Geier’s website shows the northern portion of the building where Benihana is located will be occupied by JoAnn Fabrics, which will relocate several doors down from its current spot in the center to the new building.

    Next to JoAnn’s will be a new 50,000-square-foot City Sports Club, with a 21,500-square-foot available space between the sports club and Rite Aid, according to leasing information.

    Related: New 50,000-square-foot sports club planned at Citrus Heights retail center

    Curves is also currently located behind Benihana’s and will be relocating to 8106 Madison Ave., in Fair Oaks, according to the business’s Facebook page.

    It is unclear how other businesses may be affected by plans for the center. Messages left on Wednesday for several representatives of Merlone Geier were not returned as of Thursday morning.

    Color elevation samples included in the Planning Commission’s Jan. 22 agenda packet give a visual of what’s planned at the Sunrise Village shopping plaza in Citrus Heights.

    As previously reported, the development proposal at Sunrise Village calls for adding 18,000 square feet to the existing 150,000+ square foot plaza. It would include demolition of the former Coco’s Bakery building and construction of a new 5,500-square-foot building with a drive-thru.

    If approved by the City Council next week, large archway signage branding the center as “Sunrise Village” will be installed across two of the center’s driveways and the facades of existing buildings will all receive a significant face-lift, which includes canopies above walkways, the creation of outdoor patio spaces and modifications to the existing roofline.

    The $15-20 million remodel and expansion project “will significantly enhance the center’s appearance within one of the city’s major shopping centers,” according to a city staff report.

    Want more local business news like this? Get The Sentinel’s free weekly e-Edition delivered to your inbox each Sunday and Thursday: click here to sign up.

  • Guest Opinion: How much more debt will taxpayers in Citrus Heights incur without a vote?

    Guest Opinion: How much more debt will taxpayers in Citrus Heights incur without a vote?

    Guest Opinion submitted by Tim Schaefer–
    I find it disconcerting that after 20 years of being debt free, the city cavalierly took on debt without doing much in the way of fiscal belt tightening.

    Tim Schaefer

    It was just recently that the city raised its budget from $32 million per year to over $35 million. Then last November, the council approved a proposal by the city manager to go into debt of up to $12 million. This is happening as we are just three years away from the city being released from its obligation of approximately $5.9 million per year in payments to Sacramento County for Revenue Neutrality.

    Related: Citrus Heights will soon get an extra $5-6M per year. How should it be used?

    On Nov. 14, the City Council will vote on an official policy to normalize and legitimize ongoing debt. This is a requirement by the state that all cities must comply with SB 1029, a bill that requires municipalities to adopt a debt policy 30 days prior to taking on debt.

    So how much more debt are the taxpayers in Citrus Heights going to incur without a vote?

    Related: Citrus Heights council to consider approving revised debt policy

    It seems that our city struggles with the difference between “want” and “need.” Here is how most people define a want from a need. I “need” to feed my family, I “want” to take my family on vacation. Pretty simple right?

    But for our city…

    • Needs are items or issues that will put the city into peril or cause harm to its citizens if that need isn’t funded. These are very tough decisions because they require the use of available funds or by incurring debt. i.e., road repairs, maintenance or a result of some sort on disaster. The poorly maintained roads in our city cause damage to vehicles and potentially increased response times for emergency vehicles.
    • Wants are budget items that may be of strategic benefit to the city or is a non-essential amenity. Examples would be the purchase of land or offering bonuses to staff. It’s very hard to justify going into debt for a “want.” It now appears that we have a city that wishes to continue the lavish style of the new city hall and are more than willing to sink deeper into debt to do it.

    Quoting from The Sentinel’s Nov. 15, 2018, article: “Councilman Slowey said in comments before the vote that future council members could make different decisions about how the line of credit is spent, noting governmental misuse in funding is common across the country. As he (said he’ll) be retiring from the council in two years, he said voters will need to keep council members ‘on their toes’ to make sure that they’re held accountable for how that money is spent.”

    This conundrum is all a result of the city spending nearly $23 million dollars on our new city hall. City Manager at the time, Henry Tingle was given the discretion by the council to pay cash for the new city hall or carry debt on the new building. He chose to pay cash. Council Member Jeff Slowey, Mayor Jeannie Bruins and Council Member Steve Miller are the only current members of the city council that made that decision.

    I encourage readers to review The Sentinel’s report from last year’s council meeting.

    From last year: Citrus Heights City Council approves first-ever $12M line of credit

    According to the new policy, it appears that the limit that can be borrowed against the $12 million credit line is $6 million, and roughly $4 million was spent on purchasing the former Sylvan Middle School property. If the city pays off the $6 million debt by 2024, the city will likely pay about $765,000 in interest, but the terms of the loan go out 20 years and could end up costing the city $9 million in interest.

    LETTER: City’s $12M ‘paradigm shift’ opens door for more debt, taxes

    Mayor Bruins had the right idea in her quote from the Nov. 15 meeting last year, “to get debt-free again as soon as we can.”

    I urge the Citrus Heights City Council to actively turn over the former Sylvan Middle School property, retire that debt and put this entire episode in the past. There are much tougher fiscal times ahead for our city. Fix our roads and prepare for 2030.

    Tim Schaefer is a 30-year resident of Citrus Heights and has served as president of the Park Oaks Neighborhood Association. He currently serves as a member of the Citrus Heights Planning Commission.

    Want to share your own thoughts on this topic or another local issue? Submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here

  • Low-income senior housing proposal moves forward, despite opposition

    A map shows the location of a proposed senior housing project in Citrus Heights.

    Sentinel staff report–
    Citrus Heights planning commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday night to recommend approval of a 110-unit senior housing project on Fair Oaks Boulevard, despite opposition from some residents in the neighborhood.

    The project now goes to the City Council for another public hearing and a final vote.

    Tim Schaefer, the Planning Commission’s vice chairman, told The Sentinel he shared some concerns expressed by residents during a public hearing held on Wednesday, but ultimately voted in favor of recommending the project be approved.

    “We may say as planning commissioners that we like a project or don’t like a project, but that’s pretty irrelevant,” Schaefer said in a phone interview on Saturday. “If it meets conditions listed in the General Plan and Zoning Code, then we can’t say no — that’s the bottom line.”

    Objections to the project include concerns with increased traffic, removal of healthy trees, complaints about density and limited parking spots planned, the three-story design, location of garbage containers and cut-through traffic. Concerns were raised by residents during the Oct. 23 Planning Commission meeting, as well as in letters and emails sent to the city that were obtained by The Sentinel.

    Schaefer said some concerns were addressed by the developer, including the relocation of a garbage container, a controlled gate to minimize concerns with cut-through traffic, and an increased setback of 50 feet from the property line for three-story buildings.

    The Sentinel reached out on Saturday to several representatives of the Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association, where the proposed project location at 12057 Fair Oaks Blvd. is situated, but was not able to reach any residents for comment.

    Although noting his concerns with parking for the project — which calls for 107 spots to serve all 110 units and guests — Schaefer said the city has limited senior housing options and he believes the project will be “a huge benefit to the community.”

    He also said the developer has stated that transportation for senior residents will be paid for or provided by management.

    As previously reported by The Sentinel, the developer, Roseville-based Ionic Enterprises, Inc., is seeking to construct a total of 10 residential buildings and one community building at the site, located about a half-mile from Madison Avenue near Sunrise East Way. All units would be restricted to seniors over 55 years in age.

    Plans call for 42 one-bedroom units with 599 square feet and 68 two-bedroom units with 823 square feet each. A 2,300-square-foot community room is also shown in a site plan.

    The proposed design calls for a looped walking path throughout the development, community and rose gardens, fitness stations, a dog play area, fountain area, and multi-purpose courts. An on-site manager would also occupy one of the units.

    Buildings would be a mix of one, two and three story designs, with architecture featuring ranch-style roof pitches. Structures would range in height from 10 to 40 feet and are proposed to be located a minimum of 20 feet away from adjoining property lines. A masonry wall and landscaping is also proposed to provide a visual buffer.

    Low-income affordable housing is classified as being reserved for those earning less than 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), while “very low income” housing is for those earning less than 50% of the AMI. According to a city staff report, 60% of the area median income currently equals $45,180 per year for a three-person household and $35,160 per year for a one-person household.

    As all units qualify as low-income (98 units) or very low income (11 units), with the exception of one manager’s unit, the project qualifies for up to three concessions.

    The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the concessions, which include a reduced setback for parking in one portion of the plan, and an encroachment on a required landscape planter to allow enough room for a fire department turnaround area.

    The third concession seeks to reduce the number of required parking spots to 107 spaces, instead of 121 parking spots specified by the Zoning Code.

    A site plan shows the location of proposed buildings, along with areas where concessions are sought. // Image source, Planning Commission agenda

    Commissioners opted to go with a city staff recommendation to approve the concessions. A staff report said the applicant had sufficiently demonstrated that without the concessions, three buildings and 21 units would have to be eliminated, making the projected no longer “economically feasible.”

    Commissioners also voted to recommend approval of a tree removal permit and a request to rezone the property from RD10 to higher density RD20, which allows for 20 units per acre — or 99 units at the 4.95-acre site location. Approval of a “density bonus” was also recommended by the commission in order to bring the total up to 110 units on an RD20 lot, which is allowed for certain affordable housing and senior housing projects.

    The Planning Commission’s recommendations will be considered by the City Council in December where a public hearing will be held, along with a final vote.

    Want to share your thoughts on this project or housing in Citrus Heights? Click here to submit a letter to the editor for publication.

  • LETTERS: Planning Commission, biased Citrus Heights election map?

    Latest letters include controversy over how many hours Citrus Heights Planning Commission members actually spend on their job, as well as an accusation of political bias in The Sentinel’s election map.

    No, planning commissioners don’t spend 20 hours per week on the job
    [RE: Candidate wins legal fight with City of Citrus Heights over election dispute; Aug. 30] Interesting article on Porsche Middleton’s legal win and she is now allowed to use “Planning Commissioner” as her occupation. The Citrus Heights Planning Commission is scheduled the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Very often the meetings are cancelled due to the lack of Planning Commission business. She stated under penalty of perjury that she spends 20 hours per week on Citrus Heights Planning Commission business. Wow, 20 hours a week? I am also a planning commissioner on the same Commission. We don’t even meet twice a month as scheduled. I can’t remember when Porsche has offered any substantive reflection or public commentary on the material presented at the planning commission meetings. The minutes are public record. I would testify that on average I spend two or three hours a week (8-12 hours per month) on Planning Commission business. “Under Penalty of Perjury,” I guess that means different things to different people.
    -Tim Schaefer, Citrus Heights Planning Commissioner

    ‘Lies, damned lies, and statistics’
    [RE: Citrus Heights: see how your neighborhood voted in the June election; Aug. 30] Dear Sentinel: I think that you should file this article under the heading “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Your very RED map (what readers “see”) would be purple or much more blue if you were to tally the total Republican votes (Cox and Allen) versus the total Democratic votes (Newsom, Chiang and Villaraigosa), rather than basing your map strictly on Cox vs. Newsom. One might venture to guess that you have a political agenda to push here, rather than merely reporting the news. Good Day.
    -Sentinel reader

    *Publisher’s Note: In response, The Sentinel has published an alternate map for comparison which shows precincts colored red or blue based on the total Republican votes versus total Democratic votes, rather than only based on the party affiliation of the top vote-getter. Using this method, one previously red precinct turned blue, while all the other precincts remained the same color as the original map. Click here to see the alternate map.

    Want to share your own thoughts about a local issue or recent news article? Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

  • New burger joint gets green light from planning commission for Auburn Blvd.

    Rally's burger
    A new burger drive-thru was approved to take up the vacant corner of Auburn and Grand Oaks boulevards in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

    Sentinel staff report–
    Does Citrus Heights need another burger joint? Businessman Ben Aibuedefe thinks so, and on Wednesday night he received unanimous approval from planning commissioners to move forward with his plans to bring a new walk-up and drive-thru burger restaurant to a vacant corner on Auburn Boulevard in front of Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes.

    “We are bringing in a value burger,” Aibuedefe told The Sentinel after the June 13 planning commission meeting. “This is really a different (restaurant). I will consider this a Cadillac of a burger.”

    The new eatery will be a franchise location of the Florida-based Checkers Drive-In Restaurant Inc., which has over 800 locations nationwide — the nearest location currently being over 150 miles away, near Fresno. The fast-food chain offers items like seasoned fries, big burgers, chicken wings and milkshakes, and markets itself in different parts of the country under the brand names Rally’s and Checker’s.

    Plans approved at the June 13 planning commission meeting include a small, 827-square-foot retro-style modular building to be constructed off-site and brought to 7911 Auburn Blvd., with hours of operation calling for a 10 a.m. opening, with closing times as late as 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There will be no indoor seating at the restaurant, which is typical of Rally’s and Checker’s locations around the country.

    See an image of what the new restaurant will look like: click here

    Plans call for a drive-thru window on the south side, more trees and landscaping, an outdoor seating area with a walk-up window, and 10 parking spaces along Grand Oaks Boulevard. Two existing driveways would be removed and replaced with landscaping, allowing access from Auburn Boulevard at an existing shared driveway with the bowling alley. Another driveway is also shown allowing access from Grand Oaks Boulevard.

    Several commissioners said they had heard comments from the community about there being “too many hamburger joints in Citrus Heights.” Commissioner Michael Lagomarsino acknowledged the comments could be true, but said he “always believed that if a business didn’t think they could make money, then they wouldn’t put up the building or move in there, so I see nothing wrong with that.”

    “I think there is a lot of hamburger joints in town, but there’s not really a lot of them in that particular area,” said Planning Commission Chairman Russell Blair, echoing comments by his fellow commissioner. “I think the location’s great with Rusch Park right across the parking lot from it — I think it will be successful; I’m all for it.”

    Other commissioners said they were glad to see the vacant corner being finally developed, after a prior auto shop and gas station at the site were demolished in the early 1990s. In comments to The Sentinel made after the meeting, Commissioner Tim Schaefer called the existing corner “really ugly” and said he’d “been looking at it for too long.”

    Aibuedefe told the commission he was looking forward to improving the corner, which he said will fit with the city’s plan to move forward with roadway and sidewalk improvements as part of “Phase II” of the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Revitalization Project. He also said security cameras and 24-hour lighting will be implemented to address concerns related to homelessness in the area.

    Related: ‘Phase II’ plans underway to revitalize Auburn Blvd; input sought

    In a 7-0 vote, commissioners approved the project as proposed, with a minor condition added to require additional signage at the drive-thru exit to help mitigate safety concerns about pedestrians and vehicle traffic crossing in front of the exit path.

    Aibuedefe said he plans to open the new burger restaurant, which will be branded under the name Rally’s, by the end of this year, or early next year at the latest. The franchisee said he also plans to open more locations in the future, possibly in other parts of the city.

    Related: Citrus Heights planning commission approves new drive-thru pizza

    The new burger drive-thru will have some nearby competition when California Quick Slice opens a block away at 7766 Auburn Blvd. Plans for the new pizza place were approved in March, which will re-format an old gas station near Auburn Boulevard and Antelope Road into a drive-thru pizza restaurant.

    “The main focus isn’t to compete with pizza restaurants, it’s to compete with hamburgers and tacos,” owner Mercer Tyson told planning commissioners during a public hearing earlier this year. “So when you drive down the street, instead of getting a burger, you get a pizza and a coke.”

    As previously reported on The Sentinel, Aibuedefe immigrated to the United States from Nigeria in his twenties and now lives in Roseville. The 58-year-old said he ran a gas station business for the past 12 years, but had his eye on opening a restaurant all along.

    “I always wanted to go into fast food, but I wanted the right fit,” he said in a phone interview. “I just wanted to get away from the gas station business and focus on something different.”

    According to a city staff report, the new Rally’s drive-thru will be the first completely new building along Auburn Boulevard since 2007 and will also be the first national chain to open within the Rusch Park District.

    Also on The Sentinel: Developer has big plans for vacant corner on Auburn Blvd.

  • Citrus Heights News Briefs: business news, potluck, conviction

    REACH potluck, Michael Marcus
    Speaker Michael Marcus addresses a crowd of about 100 residents and city leaders at a potluck workshop event at the Citrus Heights Community Center on March 5, 2018. // CH Sentinel

    Sentinel staff report–
    Latest local news briefs include a Citrus Heights company making it on a list of top mortgage bankers in the region, a potluck and workshop at the community center, police department comments on the conviction of a man who robbed an elderly veteran, and more.

    REACH potluck, workshop highlights building stronger community
    About 100 residents and community leaders attended the fifth annual potluck and workshop at the community center Monday evening, hosted by the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights. Speaker Michael Marcus, of the Sacramento-based Consultants for Community Resources, focused on building strong communities by thinking of community in terms of assets, rather than problems, and then harnessing those assets together to create positive change. Local artist Thomas Spencer also addressed the group on improving the quality of community.

    The three hour event was emceed by Tim Schaefer and concluded with raffle prizes and informal discussions among attendees. Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost was among those in attendance, along with Mayor Steve Miller and most council members.

    Citrus Heights PD commend veteran after jury convicts robbery suspect
    Following the announcement last week of a 38-year-old’s conviction for the 2016 brazen robbery of an elderly Citrus Heights veteran, local Investigations Lieutenant Michael Wells commended the efforts of the victim as well as the police department’s efforts to investigate the incident and quickly apprehend the suspect, Benjamin Tremper. “It was a complete team effort which ensured this violent suspect was arrested and will no longer be able to terrorize our community,” said Wells in a written statement to The Sentinel on Thursday.

    “Most importantly, I would like to commend Mr. George who refused to be victimized,” the lieutenant said, referring to the veteran who was robbed. “Mr. George struggled with the suspect and was ultimately able to summon help. He was then able to provide responding officers necessary details and positively identify his attacker after he was located. Mr. George’s bravery was critical in the apprehension and conviction of this dangerous predator.” (See related story for more: DA: Man convicted for brazen robbery of elderly Citrus Heights veteran)

    Citrus Heights company listed among top regional mortgage bankers
    Residential Home Loans, a Citrus Heights-based mortgage lender, was ranked No. 16 on a list of 25 mortgage bankers in the region published by the Sacramento Business Journal this month. The local lender, which has offices at 5751 Sunrise Blvd., reported a total of 368 home loans in 2016, totaling just over $105 million. The No. 1 regional mortgage banker topping the list was Finance of America, which reported 2,898 home loans the same year, totaling $891 million.

    The Journal’s list ranked companies in the Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer and Yolo county region, using data from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. Residential Home Loans is a division of Cherry Creek Mortgage, based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. (See full list)

    More briefly:

    • Sheriff’s Race. Citrus Heights Councilman Bret Daniels, who is running for Sacramento County Sheriff, was mentioned in separate articles about the race in the Sacramento Bee and News & Review over the past week.
    • Laundry biz. Owners of a Citrus Heights laundromat were featured in an article by American Coin-Op about how they got into the laundry business. (Read article)

  • Citrus Heights News Briefs: local politics, attempted murder, campaign announcements

    Bret Daniels
    Bret Daniels, pictured during a candidate forum last year, won election to the Citrus Heights city council on Nov. 8, 2016, and now plans to run for county sheriff in 2018.

    Latest local news briefs include an upcoming July 4 DUI enforcement effort, a Citrus Heights planning commissioner confirming plans to run for school board, Councilman Bret Daniels announcing his latest bid for county sheriff, and the arrest of a man for allegedly attempting to murder his neighbor.

    Citrus Heights councilman announces campaign for sheriff
    It may be more than a year out from the 2018 election, but candidates are already busy preparing for a long campaign season. Councilman Bret Daniels officially announced Tuesday that he is running for Sacramento County Sheriff for the fifth time. In a short four-minute video posted on Daniels’ Facebook campaign page, the councilman thanked the small crowd of attendees for showing up at his campaign kick-off event in downtown Sacramento and highlighted news reports from last year where jurors found “a culture of retaliation and preferential treatment inside the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department.” Daniels said “it’s just time for it to end, and that’s what we’re about.” He also received an applause for saying he would reverse an increase in crime through “a greater police presence in your neighborhood, a better use of resources, and keeping dangerous criminals in jail where they belong to be.”

    Daniels previously served as a Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy in the 1990’s but was fired in 2000, after the department said he lied during an internal affairs investigation relating to whether he accessed a law enforcement database for personal use. Daniels previously told The Sentinel he disputes the charges and believes the firing was “politically motivated” by then-Sheriff Lou Blanas. Two years prior to the firing, Daniels had run against Blanas for county sheriff. (Learn more about Daniels)

    From 2016: Bret Daniels’ election to city council called ‘a shocker’ by Citrus Heights leaders

    Citrus Heights planning commissioner confirms plan to run for school board
    Tim Schaefer, who was appointed earlier this year to the Citrus Heights planning commission by Councilman Daniels, has confirmed plans to run for a seat on the five-member San Juan Unified School District governing board. Schaefer placed fifth in the local race for city council last year and had expressed concern during the campaign about poor ratings received by schools within Citrus Heights, citing data from www.school-ratings.com.

    Schaefer’s intention to run for school board was made public in an update on his Facebook campaign page name, which was recently changed to “Tim Schaefer for San Juan Unified School Board.” He also confirmed his 2018 campaign plans with The Sentinel. The 56-year-old will seek to unseat one of two at-large board members who are up for election next year: Michael McKibbin and Greg Paulo. (Learn more about Schaefer)

    Citrus Heights man, 33, arrested for attempted murder of neighbor
    Citrus Heights police said a local man was arrested after allegedly shooting his neighbor in what authorities called an “ongoing neighbor dispute.” 33-year-old Hieu Thai Truong was arrested Wednesday after police said officers responded to a report of a shooting around 8:30 a.m. on the 7700 block of Poplar Lane, located off Antelope Road. After police moved the gunshot victim to safety, the suspect’s location was surrounded and he surrendered to officers.

    Online inmate records from the Sacramento County Jail indicate Truong is charged with attempted murder and felony assault with a deadly weapon. He is ineligible for bail. Police said the man Truong is believed to have shot is expected to survive, but suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and leg.

    CHPD: roving DUI patrols to hit streets on July 4
    Citrus Heights police announced that officers from the department’s DUI Enforcement Team will be deployed on July 4 in an effort to “stop and arrest alcohol and drug-impaired drivers.” The department said in a news release last week that saturation patrols, roving patrol officers designated to target DUI drivers, will be deployed in areas of the city that have had higher frequencies of DUI collisions or arrests. Police cited national statistics from 2015 indicating that 49 percent of drivers age 18 to 34 who were killed on July 4 were driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit of .08 percent.

    Also published on The Sentinel last week:

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  • Letters to the Editor: Mel Turner’s passing, appointing replacement

    Mel Turner, Citrus Heights, Melvin Turner
    Citrus Heights Councilman and former mayor Mel Turner, pictured during a December 2014 council meeting. // CH Sentinel

    Latest letters from the community reflect on former Councilman Mel Turner’s life and also discuss who his replacement on the council will be. Submit your own letter by clicking here.

    Mel Turner was one-of-a-kind and will be missed
    (RE: City leaders, community mourn passing of Citrus Heights Councilman Mel Turner, April 20) I met Mr. Turner at a neighborhood barbecue when he was a candidate for city council. He was definitely one-of-a-kind and touched everyone he met with his kind face and warm heart. Our hearts go out to his family, we are in tears. Peace be upon all of us, my friend — you will be missed.
    -Alfred Sanchez, Citrus Heights

    City council should appoint Weiland to honor voters’ wishes
    (RE: “How will the vacancy on Citrus Heights’ city council be filled?,” April 28) I have reviewed the list of very qualified applicants to replace Mel Turner on the council and I believe any of them would provide excellent representation of the fine citizens of Citrus Heights. Ideally, it would be my request to allow the voters to decide Mr. Turner’s replacement in a Special Election. I was present when the city council made its decision and fully understand why the council elected not to pursue that option considering the exorbitant cost involved.

    Considering the significant advantage an incumbent has when seeking re-election, the council should give very careful consideration to the wishes of Citrus Heights voters. In lieu of a special election I strongly urge the council to give great deference to the results from the recent election held just six months ago. Using this logic, I believe Marcel Weiland should be appointed to fill the vacant seat.
    -Tim Schaefer, Citrus Heights

    *Note: Schaefer also ran for city council last year and placed fifth out of eight candidates; Weiland placed third. He and Weiland were later appointed to the planning commission earlier this year.

    Want to submit your own letter to the editor on a current local issue? Click here.

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