If we needed a reminder that the lazy days of summer are over, we got it at our meeting. Elections are near and mayoral candidates Dr. Flojaune Cofer and Assemblyman Kevin McCarty quickly explained the challenges. As they say, all politics is local, but more about that later.
Looking ahead to the club’s huge public undertaking this weekend, the Sacramento Century Challenge biking fundraiser, Rick Davis presented a lighthearted thought for the day on biking, concluding that “cycling is a culture, a community, a passion and a way of life.”
Meeting sponsor Jim Relles explained that a local business is challenging, even for the third generation running Relles Florist in its 78th year. On October 16, that anniversary will be celebrated with free flowers given away at its store at 2400 J Street. Customers will get two bouquets, one to enjoy and one for giving someone else. “We’re making two people happy,” he said.
A new member was inducted! Mohammed Al Azzawi, the son of our own Sulaf Al Ajeeli, is Business Development Executive with Patricio Systems LLC, which provides businesses with project management and IT staffing. Welcome, Mohammed!
The club welcomed representatives from our Golf4Kids beneficiaries – Ralph Richardson Center, the Transitions program at Sacramento State, and Luther Burbank High School. President Bobby presented a ceremonial $45,000 check representing the fundraiser proceeds. “Hello friends,” said one student. Another teared up with excitement. With a big smile, one student said, “I am very special to be here.”
Club Announcements
- Sac Century – more volunteers are needed to work at the bike valet area, said PP Susan Sheridan and event “co-pilot” Paul Keefer.
- Dictionary distribution – Justino Santana is looking for volunteers to deliver dictionaries to third grade students.
- Hiking Club – PP Jim Leet announced his first club hike on October 19 at the UC Davis Arboretum and encouraged signups.
- Brown Bag Day – Tom Bacon, rocking a cool coach headband, and Steve Huffman, resplendent in a bald wig and phony beard, had fun pretending to be President Bobby while encouraging members to sign up for Brown Bag Day on October 8.
Now, back to politics. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan served as moderator for the forum with mayoral candidates Dr. Flojaune Cofer and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. Dr. Cofer is an epidemiologist and public health advocate who has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes and advancing social justice. She has led public health initiatives in California and has served on a number of governmental boards related to climate change, transportation, and public safety. Her opponent Kevin McCarty, representing the state’s 7th assembly district, has been a dedicated public servant for Sacramento since 2004. A former city councilman, McCarty serves as the chair of the Assembly public safety committee and has been an advocate for education, housing, and public safety reforms.
Asked about revitalizing downtown, McCarty said many empty state office buildings need to be sold and developed as affordable housing. 45 percent of downtown buildings are owned by the state, which pays no property taxes, and many employees now working remotely are not returning onsite to those offices. If the University of California had a downtown campus, it would lure young people to move there.
Cofer said Sacramento State University could turn downtown buildings into a residential campus and new nightlife could be generated with a creative economy featuring music and entertainment. Downtown has always been a challenge, she noted, and Cofer said she wants to manage its future, not its decline.
On addressing homelessness: Cofer said homelessness is Sacramento’s number one problem. She was startled by a homeless person in her own backyard. “Where can people go?” she asked. Many cycle through emergency rooms and jails, incurring high expenditures for our police and fire departments. While serving as chair of the Measure U Committee, she urged city leaders to devote that tax revenue to address homelessness. Short and long term housing options need to be developed with streamlining how the city government works on these issues.
McCarty said homelessness was the reason he decided to run for mayor. Children are not safe walking home, business owners suffer and the homeless people themselves are in danger. “It’s not safe for anyone,” with people camping on the streets. He said he’d ask for an audit of the city’s budget on how money is being spent and how more efforts can be made to work with Sacramento County, which has more resources.
When asked about how young professionals can afford Sacramento’s housing prices, McCarty said music, sports events and great food are key aspirations for the next generation to revive downtown. Reforms to city permitting are needed to quicken converting office space to housing space.
Cofer said the city needs to look at what jobs will be needed in the future with problems like climate change to address. Some young people want to learn trades, while others want to be four-year college graduates. The city needs to create an environment that diversifies our economy, and tenant protection programs can help people avoid evictions.
As an outsider to elected politics, Dr. Cofer promised to use her executive leadership experience to set performance goals for the city’s department leaders. The mayor is responsible to make sure goals are set and met. “All the pieces are here in Sacramento,” she said, referring to puzzles. “Now is the time to assemble the picture.”
With his time on the city council and state assembly, McCarty said he has learned that candidates promise a lot, but they need to be able to work with others as team players. He said he helped crack down on illegal gun dealers by working with law enforcement and got hundreds of guns off the street. Citing his experience, he said “You don’t do this alone,” and “I know how to get things done.”
In closing statements, Cofer said she is optimistic the city can do a better job addressing problems despite a mayor having little authority and budget money. Her work on community health improvement plans, especially during Covid, has prepared her to energize people. “The crisis is getting worse,” she said about homelessness. “We need new leadership in Sacramento.”
McCarty said he knows Sacramento is a great place to serve because he’s done it for years. His experience means he knows how to get the results that voters expect from a new mayor. “We have a lot of challenges,” he said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves.”
Greeters at the door included Lee McBay, Clayton Lee and Virginia Wade. Photography was provided by the dependable John Swentowsky. Megan Laurie provided the wine reception.
With no meeting next week because of the Sac Century event, our next luncheon will be on October 15 featuring District Governor Steve Turner.
And don’t forget the Sac Century cycling event this Saturday, September 28!
Photography Courtesy of John Swentowsky of Swentowsky Photography.
