District 3 Race: Candidate Pitches for Your Vote

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

PART EIGHT 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,

“Why should I vote for you to represent Gardenland/Northgate and South Natomas?”

Here are the answers submitted by the deadline, in the order they were received. Candidates Ellen Cochrane and Rosalyn Van Buren did not submit answers by the deadline.

EFREN GUTTIERREZ
I’ve grown up here and worked most of my life to helping the less fortunate in are area have a better and more fruitful life. Also as a business owner we can do better for our youth then what we’ve done. #1 priority the revitalization of Northgate Blvd and making it walk friendly for all to enjoy.

JEFF HARRIS
I have been a neighborhood advocate for many years, and I have directed many projects that have enhanced District 3. I have extensive experience in organizing volunteers to maintain parks, build playgrounds, and work with the Police Department to deter crime and make neighborhoods safer. As chair of the Parks Commission I helped to write Measure U, which has restored operations of pools (including Doyle pool), Community Centers (including South Natomas Community Center), as well as the police and fire departments. I have already engaged with residents to discuss Neighborhood Watch in South Natomas, and worked with GNNA to start Adopt-a-Park on Niños Parkway, and I am involved with the Mutual Housing gardens relocation. On both local and citywide levels, it is years of hands on experience and dedication to neighborhood improvement that sets me apart from my colleagues. I respectfully ask for your vote on June 3rd.

ADAM SARTAIN
This district changed substantially when it was recently redrawn. As a South Natomas resident and homeowner, I am acutely aware of the need to make certain the whole district (and I also think the Cal Expo area of District 3 is completely disregarded in these conversations) is treated and served in an equitable manner. This means sharing resources equally through the whole district, this means identifying and addressing the unique challenges in these areas. I wrote recently of developing improvement districts for Northgate Boulevard and San Juan/Truxel (the “Four Corners”) and I think getting these started will help substantially. I believe that the time is long overdue to commence serious neighborhood-driven revitalization efforts in this area of Sacramento, and that will be a substantial area of focus for me at City Hall.

CYRIL SHAH
On June 3rd, please join County Supervisor Phil Serna, former City Council Member Ray Tretheway, and thousands of your neighbors and vote Cyril Shah for City Council. Over the past year I have enjoyed visiting with hundreds of friends and neighbors on their front porch or over coffee to discuss the issues that face our City. Time after time we talked about ways to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods – fight traffic, keep our streets safe, manage local development, improve park maintenance, and pick-up our blue recycling bins every week. These may not sound like the most exciting issues, but it is where the rubber meets the road and why I am running for City Council. I volunteered and served on numerous boards and commissions to strengthen our community and I will take that experience to City Hall. I would be honored to have your support.

DEANE DANA
I am the only candidate who brings proven executive experience in working with large government budgets, developing innovative social service and community safety programs and has pledged to be a full time councilperson in District 3. I have developed and implemented effective corporate and government strategic plans, and possess the skills needed to work with government, business and neighborhood residents to address and resolve neighborhood, city and regional issues. My first priority is and will always be the residents of District 3- not special interests. Our city budget and retiree health and pension debt will be the issue I immediately address at city council. Without spending accountability and saving, the essential local government services South Natomas desperately needs will not be properly addressed. It would be a privilege to serve as your councilperson.

This Tuesday, June 3 is election day. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and if you are in line when the polls close, you will be allowed to vote. For more elections information, visit the Sacramento County website here.