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"Yang" Supports Shawn 4 Mayor

Things I’ve learned

Transit is so important to the future of our city, our people. It is the most critical element affecting our environment as well as our economy. If we would have continued to build transit oriented development, as we were back in the infancy of our city when transportation consisted of trains and horses, we would be living in one of the most efficient cities in the world. Land use policies have been the cash cow for years and now the cow is sick. Not only are the builders not building in this economic slump, but we need them to learn to build something else, and soon. Now, we are holding the daunting task of retrofitting an old, poorly designed machine with new and much more expensive parts.

It is going to cost millions (& millions) of dollars to just connect the dots we have now, the North, South, East, West corners of the county/city. We then have to hope we built the most efficient system. Should we have built magnetic bullet trains instead with lots of inner city electric shuttles instead of the light rail and buses? These are such huge issues that need to be discussed quickly and yet what are the priorities?

Crime is on the lips of all. We need more cops to handle the current load today. I understand more police will not address the long term social issues that create the need for police in the first place. We need to be addressing the importance of being a parent. There has to be accountability for a child’s behavior. As a city we need to be sure we equip parents with the proper skills to raise children that know they are worthy & loved. Ordinances can be created, but we need the people to educate and assist. These people cost money, yet what are our priorities?

We have a huge aging population. Most seniors are on a fixed income and affordable housing is a must. Large numbers have mobility issues and depend on public, costly or specialty transportation that they struggle to access.

We agree on a housing first strategy for the homeless and the continued need for services such as Loaves & Fishes and the Salvation Army. None of these programs have a consistent funding source.

Can one tax increase solve everything? A one-time investment in ourselves? Probably not. Can we even start heading in the right direction in all areas of need?

So let’s make a choice, let’s see multiple initiatives in November. Let’s take a pulse and see where we are as a community. Then next election year we can do it again and every year we can see what our neighbor thinks and we can have discussions as voters. How hard would that be? As long as we don’t have to spend money to have the discussion, i.e. competing with special interest money. As long as the media doesn’t try to make the choices for us.We can start taking control of our government and our communities..


Miscellaneous 

Things I’ve learned

  • One Cannot control the media
  • Fishing lures are for catching fisherman, politicians are for getting elected
  • The game of politics is a contact sport
  • Truth & passion still rule
  • The business of government is as serious as I thought and there are many pills that are too big to swallow.

Things I’ve been told

  • People won’t pay taxes
  • Raising taxes never helps the economy
  • Poor people don’t vote
  • If it were my child interviewing for their first job I’d tell them to wear their best clothes
  • …and cut their hair.
  • “not worth anymore ink”
  • “not a valid candidate”
  • “they won’t spend money on cops”

Taxes and Today’s Rant (4/22/08)

I have been walking precincts and attending neighborhood meetings. I felt an overwhelming willingness on the citizen’s part to pay for more secure neighborhoods and emergency response times. I also felt they were willing to invest in the ever growing senior population. As well as invest in and assist with the raising of our cities youth. All this despite the reality of a possible tax increase.

Again, I found the citizens awakened to the concept of sustainability and the understanding that oil is not our friend. Thus, were supportive of the expansion of our transit system.

Knowing the City Police and Fire Departments have been working on a plan to increase their service levels, resulting in the need for more funding. The county is also considering increasing its service levels (Sheriff Department, etc.).

I attended a neighborhood meeting last night where Regional Transit detailed their need for more funding (even though they will be getting Measure A dollars in 2009, a ¼ cent tax already approved by voters) to reach the goals of the SACOG Transportation Master Plan. At the meeting, they were asking for an additional ½ cent tax to meet those goals.

I woke up after suggesting the ½ tax with a tax hangover wondering if the city and county residents could afford it. Here’s my fear: Regional Transit asked for the money without a blink. The City’s Fire and Police Departments, being very tentative are asking for just a parcel tax (more palatable to the citizens on average).

In my proposed tax plan I’m asking for a ½ cent tax increase across the board to fund not only Transit, the Fire and Police Departments, but also setting some aside for youth and senior programs. As a fiscal conservative, it was a big deal to request a ½ cent tax. Swallowing one large pill as opposed to being force fed multiple little ones. I see it as an investment in making our region better, investing in the future.

Today I awoke to find one of my fiancés pride and joy rose bushes stolen from our well lit front yard. While I was telling my neighbor about the theft, a woman was stealing from my recycle bin. My neighbor then told me about his truck being stolen the week prior. While driving by our rental property I noticed the alleyway filled with mattresses and trash. In my job as a contractor, I am repeatedly asked to do more than my original scope to help out the builder or owner of multi-million dollar projects, for little or no additional compensation, in the name of loyalty and good faith.

This is the real world. No favors, no pardons of mistakes, nothing. Just give until it hurts and give more if you can.

What will it take to have the City perform at a higher level, without its citizens having to give until it hurts?

What will Kevin Johnson do to make me feel better about giving?

What is Heather Fargo going to do different to make an impact in my life?

I understand the pain of increasing taxes. I understand there is only so much we can give. The public tax dollar is not just a pool for city government to pull from to pay for under estimating the cost of taking care of its citizens. We work hard for our money and expect them to value it above their own. Sacramento deserves aggressive leadership that understands these principles.

The Shawn4mayor campaign is releasing its own master plans from the  “no special interest dollars” campaign headquarters.

Friday  the 18th of April  @ 2531 O street   3:30pm

Increase blue shirts (community safety officers) at a lower cost at a still visible presence.

Add beat cops to high crime areas and school areas; get them integrated into our neighborhoods. Keeping the same officers in their skilled areas of expertise as well as familiar districts to increase familiarity with local youth, parolees and homeless.

We will enroll our youth into job training.  We will work with schools in partnership with SETA and our own city sponsored projects. To bring back vocational training in the construction industry, bringing  jobs to our youth and vice versa

On that note, there will be new construction jobs in the green building industry as well as the normal residential home building trade we have lived on for so many years.  Funding would come from a security tax (already in the works).  I feel it should be a sales tax to be shared with the county as there is an overlap of services.

Light rail expansion needs to go to the airport … the ridership is low and currently does not support the extension but it is part of an investment in Natomas. To bring airport travelers to the Natomas area (first stop from the airport) possible hotels and other services to accommodate travelers as well as decreasing our reliance on the automobile providing home to work place transit from the Natomas area.

I am announcing a policy of transparency in government.

I will take the consensus provided by you, the stakeholder, on all areas of study: rail yards, waterfront, Arena, public safety, land use and transportation issues, etc.; Back to the public creating a clear image of where our city is going. There will be no confusion as to what is happening on K Street or the rail yards.

We will function as one city with one goal.

 

 
Campaign 2008;
Shawn Eldredge for Mayor,
City of Sacramento, California, USA
Shawn4Mayor
ShawnForMayor