Sentinel staff report–
As part of The Sentinel’s coverage of local elections, each candidate was asked a series of identical questions regarding local issues that impact our community directly. Questions cover roads, police, homelessness, taxes, and Sunrise Mall.
The following is a Q&A with Citrus Heights City Council Candidate Susan Powers, who is running for District 4.
To find out which district you live in, see the City Council district map here.
For residents who are concerned about the condition of local roads, do you think the city has done enough to address aging roads, and how will you address such concerns if elected/reelected?
The City of Citrus Heights has an established schedule for road improvements, including when repairs are planned and what type of work will be completed.
However, I believe the City can do a better job of communicating these plans to our community. This information should be easy to find, understand, and access so that our community knows when improvements are coming to their neighborhoods.
Better communication and transparency builds trust.
Due to the CHPD traffic unit being dissolved, specific officers are no longer assigned to each high school. Do you feel police officers should be present at or assigned to monitor school campuses? (such as middle schools/K-8s and/or high schools) Why or why not?
I believe having a police presence at our schools is important to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and staff.
When elected, I will focus on economic development and attracting new businesses to Citrus Heights. Bringing new business to our city will generate additional revenue, helping us to fully fund our Police Department.
For residents concerned about the Sunrise Mall redevelopment progress: Has the city done enough, and what do you want to continue to see in regard to the Sunrise Mall/Sunrise Tomorrow property?
I believe the City of Citrus Heights has made every effort to move the Sunrise Tomorrow plan forward, and I am excited about the progress being made, especially with the upcoming sports complex.
However, I do feel there is room for improvement when it comes to transparency and communication with our community. There are exciting developments happening with the Sunrise Mall property, but I don’t believe that information is reaching enough of our community and everyone deserves to know where things stand, what steps are being taken, and what they can look forward to.
Homelessness is consistently ranked among the top issues faced by businesses and residents in Citrus Heights. What more do you think the city could do to address homelessness, and what role do you ideally see private organizations playing? (Be specific)
I believe the City of Citrus Heights is making a strong effort to address homelessness in our community. While the City can provide resources, programs, and opportunities for assistance, individuals must also be willing to accept that help and take steps toward improving their circumstances.
Homelessness is a complex issue, and there is no single solution. I believe it takes a collaborative effort between the City, law enforcement, local organizations, service providers, and our community to make a meaningful difference.
We need to continue offering assistance to those in need while also maintaining safe, clean neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces for everyone.
How did you vote on the 1% sales tax increase in 2020 (Measure M), and do you think a sales tax increase could be necessary to meet budget demands in Citrus Heights within the next four years? Why, or why not?
I do not support increasing sales taxes to meet the City’s budget demands. I believe we need to explore all available options before asking our residents and businesses to pay more in taxes.
Economic development needs to be a top priority for Citrus Heights.
By attracting new businesses, supporting our existing businesses, and encouraging investment in our city, we can generate additional sales tax revenue to help fund essential services such as public safety, road improvements, and infrastructure.
We need to focus on growing our local economy, making responsible financial decisions, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. *Edited for length
*Candidates replied via email, and those who responded to each question in less than 100 words have their answers published word-for-word. Answers exceeding 100 words were edited for length.
Related: Meet Susan Powers, candidate for Citrus Heights City Council District 4 – Citrus Heights Sentinel
Catch up on all other candidates’ interviews on our Elections page.
