THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz
PART SIX IN A SERIES
THE NATOMAS BUZZ invited the seven candidates running for the District 3 city council seat to participate in a series of articles wherein they answer questions submitted by readers. Today’s question asked,
“How would you like to see our city’s surplus utilized?”
Here are the answers submitted by the deadline, in the order they were received. Candidates Adam Sartain, Jeff Harris, Rosalyn Van Buren and Efren Guttierrez did not submit answers.
DEANE DANA
The “surplus” the City Finance Director refers to is the result of the Measure U sales tax- which we all pay for when we shop in our city. Our residents were told that Measure U funds would restore our park funding and enhance police and fire services. It now seems that a “surplus” might be used for whatever the council wants. We have no business utilizing Measure U funds for the arena financing or pet projects of any councilperson. Measure U funds should be directed to our highest and most essential city services. Those services include police enhancement including the problem oriented policing program and paramedic access to underserved areas. It is clear South Natomas needs to benefit from what residents voted for in 2012.
ELLEN COCHRANE
Surplus? Any extra funds should be used to bring our services back up to speed. It was shocking that Gardenland Park was closed over Mother’s Day. Why is there no public restroom outdoors at the Natomas Community Center? What are our kids and adults at the Rose Garden and Fort Natomas supposed to do when the center is not open? These are basic services. I also thinka surplus would be ideally spent shoring up services for our youth. If we want to make our community safer let’s interfere early on with the climate that encourages drugs and crime. We can change the weather. Get kids at the start and keep them engaged in fun and productive activities. Develop the Youth Advisory Committee that is running full speed in “North” Natomas and bring to south, and to East Sacramento and the River District.
CYRIL SHAH
Any surplus funds should be used to improve city services in all of our neighborhoods. Throughout my campaign, I have discussed specific ways to create jobs in Sacramento to generate new opportunities for our residents and stabilize our budget. As city revenues increase, let’s focus on improving city services that benefit all of our residents like public safety, parks, and libraries. As your council member, I will continue to be the voice for all of our neighborhoods. I would be honored to have your vote.
THE NATOMAS BUZZ will be running a series of Q&A posts leading up to election day in June 2014. Submit your questions for candidates to [email protected].
Here’s a novel idea, how about the city save it for a rainy day.
Restoring city services is where I’d like to see the funds go. Ms. Cochrane mentions the lack of restrooms and the closing of a park. These are indeed important. So are public trash cans and the restoration of the police facility that used to be located on San Juan at Truxel. Using the surplus for the restoration of services, beginning with the most critical – fire and police for the entire city – I believe should come first. I’ve enjoyed these questions of the candidates and thank Natomas Buzz for doing this. I am sad, however, to see that only 3 candidates responded to the question this time. As a voter who is proud to have never missed the opportunity to vote in any election since the age of 18, I know that my vote counts. It is difficult to vote, however, when there isn’t enough information. Perhaps the 4 candidates who did not respond will add a comment here. And perhaps those who failed to respond to the other questions in this series will respond to those questions. South Natomas votes!