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Get the Latest Campaign News on Facebook Jeff Rainforth for Sacramento City Council 2010

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Jeff Rainforth for Sacramento City Council 2010

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    ISSUES

    • Attract Employers to Sacramento
      • -The city receives most of its revenue from sales and property taxes. The more unemployed people there are, the less people there are spending money and buying homes... thus the less the city takes in in taxes to spend on parks, roads, schools, fire and police. With unemployment at over 12%, and a $43 million budget shortfall this year, we need to attract employers by cutting bureaucratic red tape, utilizing tax credits, real estate deals, and being the city that bends over backwards to work with employers to help them get situated in Sacramento. If there are no jobs, and we don't have people spending money and buying houses, we will NOT have the money to fund our parks and roads. It's that simple. We must look at what other cities and states have done to attract employers such as using company income tax credits in Indiana, below market real estate in Huntsville, and Oklahoma City’s Strategic Investment Program that provides cash incentives to new companies that hire at least 50 employees in the area. We should be attracting businesses in the science, technology, health, media and arts sectors. We will be the city that provides the products and services of a society that is increasingly becoming dependent on technology. We will be the city that houses the minds that produce the next breakthroughs in health, bio, and information technology, and we will have the money to pay for everything we expect from our government such as parks, roads, schools, and police and fire. The only way to do this is to attract employers to Sacramento. There is no money tree. We have to put people back to work, and we have to do it now.

      The photo is of the downtown Blockbuster Video which closed in April. I frequented the store often as I live downtown, and I knew many of the employees... some of who are out of work as we speak. According to employees, Blockbuster shut down because the landlord raised the rent by 40%. There are no video rental stores in the downtown area now. There are adult video stores where residents can rent porn of course, but no regular movie rental businesses. Is this what we want to be known for? "Come live in Midtown! We have no video stores, but we've got porn coming out our ears!" Um, yeah, somehow, I just don't think that's the type of city center that most people envision for Sacramento. City centers are about options. With the Hard Rock Cafe, and the video rental stores gone in Midtown, the entertainment options for downtown residents (many of them younger people) are shrinking, along with entry level jobs. Someone once said Sacramento is a big city with small town values. I'd say we're becoming a big city with small town options. If I'm elected, I will change that. We can be a big city, with small town values, and lots of options.


    • Strong Mayor
      • -I do not support the strong mayor proposal. I believe that it would put too much power in one person's hands, and that it would turn the position into a cult of personality. The council should remain as it is, or explore options as a strong manager/council form of government as these have shown to be quite successful over time.


    • Arena
      • -I live in Midtown, and I would love to have an arena in the area. I believe it would create jobs, boost our local economy, and add entertainment options for Sacramento. If we can get the arena for free, I'll vote for it. If it requires public funding, I will defer the decision to the voters to decide if they want to spend their money on the project. As a downtown resident, I will make sure that all traffic and parking issues are dealt with prior to any deal as we already have enough traffic problems in the area as it is.


    • Affordable Housing
      • - A diverse job market and affordability are two main factors in where people decide to live, especially for younger people just out of college or high school. It's not good enough just to have jobs for those who are just starting out in their careers. They have to be able to afford to live here. I will seek to make sure that we have enough affordable housing in the area, especially in Midtown.


    • Long term goal to become known for the best public schools
      • -This should not just be some convenient political slogan. It should be an actual long term goal of the city to become known nationwide for being the best place to educate your children. After attracting the next generation to your city, you have to keep them. If they decide to settle down, their priorities will change somewhat in terms of raising a family. They will want the best educational opportunities for their children, and, we should be the city that gives that to them (and to ourselves).


    • Open K Street to traffic
      • -I believe the reason that there are so many vacancies in the K Street mall area is because cars are not allowed there. Businesses need customers, and customers usually come in cars and want to pull up to the establishment they are visiting. This will help to revitalize that area of Midtown. Another option is to keep the area fully pedestrian, and to put affordable housing units in.


    • Subsidized Parking in Downtown Parking Garages - nights and weekends
      • -Other cities have successfully experimented with subsidized parking in their downtown areas. It attracts residents and out of towners who visit local businesses. The parking meters should stay. Businesses need the traffic flow that the meters create so that new customers are able to park nearby while visiting their establishments. This will help to revitalize the Midtown area.


    • Ensure that there are plenty of Social/Arts events in Midtown
      • -The next generation are looking for cool things to do. This will help us keep the best and the brightest that are here, and attract others to the city. Events can range from music festivals to street fairs.


    • More Artist Live/Work Areas
      • -Having a strong artist community is a crucial part in attracting the Creative Class to your city. Live/work areas should be available for all types of artists including musicians & bands. These are the individuals who will be performing at the music festivals, and displaying their artwork in the street fairs like Second Saturday etc. Being a musician, and having played in bands when I was growing up, I know how tough it is for them to find places where they can practice and live at the same time. We should be fostering their growth as they will become an integral part in attracting the Creative Class to Sacramento.


    • Foster Relationships with Social and Amateur Sports groups
      • -This falls in line with the previous topic. We can help local social and sports groups get off the ground and grow by allowing them free use of city facilities, and also by providing grants if they have shown that they are an asset to the city's social life.


    • Special Interests
      • -PACs and special interest groups are looking out for their and their member's interests. Many times their interests can and will be in conflict with sound fiscal policy. Many local PAC members receive contracts from the city or state. Of course, PACs would like to ensure that their members continue to get contracts from the city, some of which can be very lucrative for the businesses or interests involved. The way that they seek to do this is by influencing elections by endorsing candidates that they think will most likely vote their way, by the PAC and its members giving money to a certain candidate, and by informing PAC members of their candidate of choice through slate mailers etc. Unfortunately, special interests who receive money via contracts from state or local governments play a large role in determining who will be elected, and who will not. A public servant's main priority should be serving the will of the people to the best of his or her abilities. This means making decisions based on facts, research, and sound data and statistics. In my opinion, if decisions made by public figures go counter to sound fiscal logic or advice because of influence from a special interest, the public servant has failed in their duties to the individuals that he or she are representing. Because of this, I will not allow special interests to influence my vote on policy matters if their desires are counter to that of the people's, or are in opposition to sound fiscal decision making. Decisions must be made logically for the overall benefit of the residents and businesses in Sacramento and district three, not for the benefit of a few who seek to enrich themselves from the public coffers.

      If I am elected to council in the third district, I will vote for what I believe is best for the residents of the city and of district three by listening to their complaints, concerns, feedback, and ideas. I will do the homework and research necessary to make logical decisions without the influence of special interests on the issues that face the city and our district today. Politics is great. I enjoy the problem solving involved. Which is why I enjoy being a part of the political process, because there are plenty of problems to go around. But I don't need someone paying me to tell me what kinds of decisions I should be making. I have a brain. With the proper research, and feedback of those who live in Sacramento and our district, I can make those decisions without "money" being a part of that process. Honestly, it doesn't make sense to me why a candidate would want money or endorsements from certain interests or groups... unless they are merely in the game to win... for their own purposes. What I would ask all candidates is, can you think on your own, or are you some kind of parrot for someone else or another organization? I'll take a pass on the money and endorsements, even it means losing an election. At least I'll come out with my dignity intact.

    • Government Waste
      • -With Sacramento having to cut $40 million from its 2010 budget, we must ensure that we have a government that is efficient, and one that spends our tax dollars wisely. If I am elected, I will seek to eliminate redundancy, duplication, and department overlap wherever possible. We must make sure that department workers are not having to do the same work two or more times, and that departments are not performing the same services as others in city, county, or state government. By eliminating wasteful spending and practices, we can get the same level of service from city departments, while reducing the amount of spending needed to be cut from the city budget.



    Neighborhood Issues


    • More Street Lights and Moveable Traffic Barriers
      • -As I have walked some of the precincts, residents have asked for more street lights, and for the traffic barriers to be moved from time to time so that their neighborhood roads don't become thoroughfares.


    • Police high Crime areas and Alley Parking Lots
      • -I believe there should be less police on traffic duty, and more assigned to the high crime areas of the city, including the alley parking lots where many downtown residents park their cars. Cars parked in the residential alley parking lots seem to be broken into more often than other areas. I have had my vehicle broken into while parked in an alley lot also. I regularly see cars with their windows smashed in from burglaries in the alley lots, and I believe that the police should put more of a focus on these areas so residents do not have to go through the shock of being a victim, and shell out hundreds of dollars for their losses.


    • Crossing Guards for Second Saturdays
      • -Downtown residents who are not attending find it difficult to get across town to shop, and run errands because of the crowds and traffic etc


    • Reduce Parking Ticket fines
      • -Parking tickets are now $50 including a $10 state surcharge


    • No Red Light cameras
      • -Cameras are more about money, not keeping us safer


    • Explore Backyard Poultry options (No Roosters)
      • -Many residents want to have a few chickens for fresh eggs in the morning (Roosters not included as many of us don't want to be woken up by the "cock a doodle doo" at four in the morning)


    Issues Expanded

    Unemployment and Attracting Jobs

    In December of 2009 unemployement for the entire Sacramento region stood at about 12.3%. The number of persons unemployed in the region was around 127,000. The California Employment Development Department forecasts unemployment reaching as high as 13.9% in September of 2010. Clearly, the region's leaders have their work cut out for them when it comes to attracting employers to the area, and retaining the employers that are already here. As a member of the Sacramento city council it will be my top priority to help attract employers to the area (and keep the ones we already have) so that unemployed residents have a better chance at finding work.

    As a member of Best Buy's Competitive Strategy Group (CSG), it's my job to gather all available data on our competitors in the Sacramento region. Our group collects information such as competitor market share, budget information, sales strategies, finance offers, reorganizations, acquisitions, pricing, merchandising, expansion, layoffs, and much, much more. It's our job to know everything about our competitors, and to keep the head office apprised of any movements that they are making. The information we gather, and analysis we give, helps the company stay ahead of the competition. In the Sacramento region, our work helped the company increase it's market share by 7% in consumer electronics in the final quarter of 2009. It's one of the reasons why the company is the number one consumer electronics retailer in the United States. Whatever you think about the company itself, one thing is sure, they know their competition.

    Now, one might ask, "what does this competitive 'stuff' have to do with Sacramento or a city council race?" And I would answer, it has everything to do with Sacramento, and who's making decisions for the city. Every city is in a competition against other cities. Sacramento is no different. We are in a competition for jobs... employers to be exact. In the current economy, it is especially important to know what your competitors are up to. There are a few questions one wants to ask about one's competitors such as: Are they doing something that's working? If yes, then emulate them. Are they doing something we can't do because of budget constraints, location etc? If so, then innovate. Are our competitors doing something that isn't working? Then we negate that option. Know your competitors inside and out. Learn from their mistakes without making them yourself, take advantage of their successes by emulating their actions, and if there are no good examples to follow, get creative. By doing this, Sacramento can fast track past its competitors, and hopefully become a city that attracts employers, and not one that loses them.

    Another element in competition and selling people on your product (city) is knowing your VPE's, or Value Proposition Elements. Basically, Value Proposition Elements (VPE's) can be summed up as:

    1. Your target market
    2. Why your target market would want to buy your product (in this case, why businesses would want to move to Sacramento)
    3. What differentiates your product (Sacramento) from your competitor's (other cities)

    So, what market (businesses) should we be targeting? Sacramento needs to reach out to industries in science, engineering, technology, and the arts. Computer programming, advertising, architecture, research & development, bio-technologies, health industries, arts and media, and design are a few of the areas we should be focusing on when looking at which businesses to attract to Sacramento. Attracting these industries to Sacramento will create a diverse job market so that job seekers will have more choices as to where they work.


More & Better Parks and Athletic fields

    As the founder of the amateur sports & social group Midtown Ultimate, I believe Sacramento needs more and better parks and athletic fields. Amateur sports groups such as the one I run provide a much needed social outlet in Sacramento. These groups are a way for residents to get involved with others in the city, have fun, get into or stay in shape, network, and make friends. I see Sacramento as becoming a major amateur sports city. Many of these groups are free, some charge for participation, but the end result is a more lively and active city. I would like to see a major athletic field complex somewhere near the downtown area (hopefully near the new arena?) on par with the Warren G. Magnuson Park in Seattle, WA. The Seattle complex has 9 full fields for Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, football and baseball. In a better economic environment, I believe the city can work with businesses and private investors to make a park on this scale a reality. Amateur sports groups are growing in Sacramento, and they need open space to field team sports on. This also ties in with making Sacramento a destination for young adults starting out in their careers. They want cool things to do, and amateur sports and social groups provide this outlet for them. I believe these groups are an asset to Sacramento, and that the city should do its best to help foster their growth. I also believe that more parks in Sacramento need lighting installed for night games, and that we should look into the possibility of synthetic turf for some fields. Synthetic turf does not require the maintenance of regular grass fields, and also allows for play even after a rain storm without the worry of tearing up the fields.

   

(Photos from Midtown Ultimate & Sports, and Sacramento Ultimate Players Association (SUPA) at McKinley & Grant Parks.)


Attracting the Best and the Brightest

    Major destinations for those just starting out in their careers are San Francisco, New York City, D.C., Seattle, and Los Angeles to name a few. Can the capitol city of the world's 8th largest economy compete with those big names in attracting the young professionals of tomorrow? Absolutely. We need to bring the right jobs to Sacramento such as those in the fields of science and technology, as well as those in the health, media, and arts sectors. Young people want jobs, and they go where they are. We also need to make sure Sacramento is a cool place to live. Tomorrow's young professionals want a hip nightlife, and vibrant downtown areas to hang out at after they've finished their work for the day. They also want plenty of activities such as music festivals, Second Saturdays, and amateur sports clubs and social groups to be involved in. That's where they meet friends, network, and where they will possibly meet their future mate (also high on the next generation's priority list). They also want to be able to afford to live where they work. It's no fun being in a cool city that at the same time breaks your pocketbook.

    As a member of Best Buy's "Competitive Strategies Group," I will use my experience with the group to make sure Sacramento is on par with some of the top cities so we attract the right kinds of jobs, have the coolest stuff to do, and to make Sacramento a destination for those just starting out in life. We can become the next "IT" city. We can become a destination, a hub for the best and the brightest for tomorrow's leaders, and an intellectual and social mecca of the West, if not the world. We can do this, and if I am elected to city council for district three, it will be one of my main priorities to make sure we are the place where tomorrow's young professionals want to come to live, work, and play.

    What do some of the best cities in America have in common? They are attracting the best and brightest individuals of the next generation. Who are these individuals, and why are they so important? Sometimes known as the "Creative Class," they are younger citizens at the top of their fields or studies. They are innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, website developers, software engineers, educators, soon to be doctors or lawyers, businessmen and women, scientists, and more. These are the individuals who help shape cities for tomorrow. Wherever they decide to migrate to, that is where they will form their businesses, shoot their movies, start their bands, teach, form their organizations and so on. Imagine having the next Google, Facebook, or Yahoo started and headquarted in Sacramento. Imagine the next breakthroughs in science and technology coming from Sacramento. Or the next hit band calling Sacramento their home. How about the next blockbuster movie being shot in Midtown? Imagine the jobs that will be created, the money from taxes so we don't have to keep cutting the city budget. Imagine the businesses who will want to move here once they see that Sacramento is a destination for the best and the brightest of the next generation. The Creative Class are the ones who do these things. Every city has individuals from the Creative Class. Sacramento has them, San Francisco has them, Seattle has them and so on and so forth. The question is, where will they decide to settle down, and what are we doing to attract them here?

    If your city is attracting them, it most likely has good things in store for it in the future. If your city is losing them, or they don't see your city as an attractive place to live or settle down in, well, your city will most likely suffer the economic and social consequences. Cities across the country are doing their darndest to attract these young up and comers. If I am elected, it will be my foremost goal to make Sacramento a place that the best and the brightest will want to come (or stay) to live, work, settle down in, and help build our city for the future.

    What is the next generation looking for in a city? First off, they are looking for jobs. If your city doesn't have a diverse job market, and one that is hiring, they most likely won't be showing up any time soon. Second, they are looking for places to live that they can afford. These individuals are just starting out in their careers, and they want housing that won't break their bank accounts. Third, they are looking for cool things to do. The Creative Class are looking for cities that have a vibrant downtown and nightlife, sports and social clubs, lively art districts, and plenty of fun things to do where they can meet new people in order to make friends, and expand their networks. Fourth, these young professionals are looking for their potential mate. If your city has the jobs, and the cool social events and groups to go with them, this one will normally take care of itself. And finally, the Creative Class is looking to be surrounded with other individuals like themselves. Like the fourth item, if Sacramento has the jobs, social events and groups, this will also likely take care of itself as we begin to attract the next generation. The next generation, the young professionals, i.e. the "Creative Class," will be become the cornerstone of Sacramento economically and socially if we are attracting them, and give them a reason to stay. If I am elected, I will seek to put all of the ducks in a row so we can do just that. Sacramento can be known as the intellectual, social, and arts mecca of the United States, where the best and the brightest flock to for jobs, social activities, and hopefully to settle down in, and to help build the city for the future.


    Special Interests

    How You Indirectly Support Candidates you don't Vote For

    The diagram shows how your money goes to government in the form of taxes, then is spent on businesses or departments who have PACs (Political Action Committees). PACs lobby the government, and help candidates they support get elected. Usually it is so that they can ensure that their members continue to receive money for services or products from the government. Members of PACs contribute to their PACs so that they have money to support candidates who will vote how they want in terms of government spending. As you can see in the diagram, some of your tax dollars eventually end up in a PAC, and are then passed onto their candidate to help get him or her elected. Even though you may not have supported that candidate, your money (tax dollars) eventually helped him or her to get elected. The diagram is meant to show only businesses and city departments who receive contracts or money from the city in return for services or products.

    Not planning on voting for Steve Cohn in June? Well, if you live in Sacramento, some of your money went to his campaign anyway as he received contributions from employee union PACs such as the Sacramento Police Officers Association (SPOA). Your taxes pay for police services, the police have a PAC which is funded by members who are paid by you, and the PAC gives money to Steve Cohn for his reelection bid. Do police really need a PAC that contributes to council members to help get the reelected? Do they really think that some candidate might get elected who will come in and gut the police budget, leave citizens vulnerable to crime, survive the public outcry when crimes rates go up, and still expect to get reelected in the next election? Ridiculous. Of course no sane person would do that. Of course, they may be afraid that a candidate might win who will look at future pension contracts, current pay rates, ask for an audit etc. The city is in a budget crisis. God forbid someone should actually be fiscally responsible and take a hard look at all of the city's expenditures... without the involvement of special interests swaying any minds. But of course, that's not the way the system is setup. Is it time for a change to the same 'ol, same 'ol? I think so, and I hope you think so too.