If candidates for Sacramento’s local political seats want to know how voters are feeling this election, they may want to tune into what folks are saying in Meadowview.
As one resident puts it, the South Sacramento neighborhood “looks like America” — it’s ethnically diverse, and many residents feel the pain of economic stress and the controversial police killings that have rocked the nation.
In a pair of virtual listening sessions in October, CapRadio heard from more than a dozen Meadowview residents about what they wanted from their city council officials, the mayor, and the president of the United States.
Resoundingly, they spoke about the need to support the younger generation — through jobs, activities and quality education. They wanted to stamp out blight, and to reform how law enforcement polices their community.
From the candidates as individuals, they wanted honesty; someone who understands the immigrant experience, and doesn’t shrug and say their “hands are tied.”
They want a representative who engages with everyone, gets “in the trenches,” and “bring the people together” during divisive times.
Jeff Soloman, who is retired in Meadowview, says he wants people who will “make a better future for my children, and my children's children.”
Asia Lee, a young Meadowview woman who has done community organizing with Hmong Innovating Politics, wants a transparent and empathetic council representative, “who has the capacity to stand up for marginalized communities,” even if they are not a part of those groups.
Jesse Reese, president of the Meadowview Neighborhood Association, asks council candidates “what would you do to continually make Meadowview better developed?”
CapRadio’s reporters and editor — Sarah Mizes-Tan, Scott Rodd and Kris Hooks — took these questions to Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Mai Vai and Les Simmons last week.
What Meadowview Wants from District 8’s Next City Council Representative
This year’s election is a tight race between two city council candidates vying for District 8, which is largely made up of the Meadowview area. Mai Vang is a current school board member with a community organizing background, and Les Simmons is a Pastor with South Sacramento Christian Center.
Meadowview residents had requests for whoever is sworn in next year.
Tina Borgman, a social worker at a Meadowview public school, wants a council member who understands the financial hardships of local families, because for so many of them, “it's a daily struggle.”
She and others want better broadband access in the area and more community-based activities for kids. She wonders if Measure U dollars could be used for such youth programs.
Others would like to see gatherings like downtown’s “concerts in the park” in the outlying neighborhoods like Meadowview.
RoLanda Wilkins who works with teenage girls through her organization Earth Mama Healing, wants to know what will be done to increase homeownership in Meadowview. And Borgman says there are a lot of landlords that “need to be held accountable” for neglecting rental properties.
Police reform
Several Meadowview residents wanted changes to the way their community is policed.
“I don't like hearing helicopters all the time,” said Monica Mares, a young woman who was born and raised in the neighborhood. She said police don’t “have to be involved in every community situation.”
She hopes programs such as the “Mental Health First” initiative will flourish, so that police will be less involved in psychiatric emergencies and domestic violence disputes. Others wanted police officers to be more educated on de-escalation.
A couple of community members say they think city officials have been trying to be responsive to recent protests calling for police accountability, and that some police officers do a good job.
But locals still want “over policing” to be addressed, such as when people are stopped unnecessarily while driving on the road.
Larry Harris says police accountability starts at the highest levels of government.
“Everybody has to be accountable for their actions,” Harris said. “The president, policemen, everybody has to be accountable.”
Cleaning up the neighborhood
Margarita Chavez, with the Detroit Neighborhood Association, wants council representatives to help prevent illegal dumping. Chavez says abandoned cars and other household items strewn around their neighborhood is not just an eyesore, it’s a safety hazard.
Chavez said she once took it upon herself to water and mow the lawn of a nearby vacant property as part of her ongoing effort to clean up the neighborhood.
“Because if it's nice, you feel good about yourself, even your mental aspect,” she said. “You see all this trash, and sometimes it’s like, ‘It's not even worth it. Why live here?’”
Another resident, Ron Brasel with the Cabrillo Park Neighborhood Association, had a specific request: a bike trail leading to downtown. He says in addition to the Del Rio Trail, he would like to see the Sacramento River Bike Trail finally come to fruition. That would promote exercise and connect Meadowview with the city’s commercial core, he said.
But what Meadowview residents don’t need more of is more “promises,” says Senior Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr. of Genesis Church. He wanted to know what council members will do differently for the constituents.
“We don't need talk... We need some action,” he said.
What would you ask the mayor?
When CapRadio asked Meadowview residents what they would have to say to the mayor, Tina Borgman zeroed in on one of the hottest election issues in Sacramento: the “strong mayor” initiative, Measure A.
She asked why did Mayor Steinberg combine his strong mayor proposal with an effort to invest in social and racial equity? Why couldn’t voters weigh in on them separately? Another person asked: how would a strong mayor help the people of District 8?
Others wanted to know what happened to Measure U funding, if the city budget was balanced, and how the mayor planned to have conversations with young people about “uplifting Meadowview.”
Still others had requests: They wanted the mayor to make sure resources were evenly dispersed throughout the city’s neighborhoods, and that public schools were adequately funded.
Jesse Reese of the Meadowview Neighborhood Association wants to be able to call the mayor and council members directly on the phone to “talk about the situation of our community.”
In an interview with CapRadio recently, Steinberg responded to many of those residents’ questions. (See how Steinberg responded in this interview.)
Exercising their right to vote
In general, Meadowview residents were excited about casting their ballots this election.
Just the fact that people have the right to vote is a reason to vote, they suggested.
“I’m voting for my ancestors,” said RoLanda Wilkins, referring to the work African-Americans did to obtain the right to vote.
“Out of the respect of all the hard work and blood, sweat and tears, I vote every election because of my great grandmothers and fathers,” she said.
Roz Myers said if people don’t vote this year, “we’re going to see setbacks of over 50, 60, 70 years or more.”
Linda Gaines says she sees a lot of divisiveness and “us and them” narratives in the nation today, and she’s voting in the hopes that we can start healing some of that.”
CapRadio staff contributed to this reporting.
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