Editor’s note: This is the first in A News Cafe’s series of Redding City Council candidates’ statements for the Nov. 2 general election. You’ll find more in the Village Voices section over the next month — we hope you find them helpful.
The campaign for Redding City Council boils down to whether we solve budget problems in a respectful manner or we allow bullies to control our town. I choose civility. I hope you will, too. We must believe that a solution exists that will treat people fairly. City employees are not our enemy. Many of them risk their lives to keep us safe. They provide the electricity and water for our first cup of coffee. We travel on good roads and safe walkways and bike paths. We have beautiful parks. The city employees who provide these things accepted a job with a set pay and benefits. Now there are questions about the ability of the city to maintain those contracts. We need to verify the facts. Then we need to negotiate in good faith. City employees are our neighbors, customers in our businesses, and tax payers, too. To say they don’t care about the sustainability of their retirement begs credibility. Most city employees do not receive social security. They have nothing to fall back on if their public retirement plan goes bankrupt.
Our community has a track record for miraculous solutions. Look at the library! When we rallied, the result was a breathtaking modern library filled with options for every citizen. We can solve the current city budget problems with the same attitude.
So much energy is being focused on cutting expenses that we may be neglecting opportunities to improve our economy. We need to come up with creative ways to support the businesses and manufacturers already here. When I was a County Supervisor we created Enterprise Zones as a means of encouraging business. There are communities all over the country where jobs are being created with small enticements. An evaluation of waiving business license fees for a year might be a start. Every possibility should be considered. We need to draw on the wisdom of the entire community for ideas. I want to live in a town that wants to be the BEST place to live and work. Let’s attract businesses with the same goal rather than those looking for the cheapest place to locate.
The possibilities for Redding are endless. We can ski and play golf on the same day or paddle in a lake and climb a volcano. We need to protect the attributes which make Redding so unique. Perhaps we should be carefully marketing it. Doesn’t it seem like we should have a kayak manufacturer here? Have we really used due diligence in appealing to the makers of outdoor products? Portland encourages the use of bikes for transportation. Lots of people ride bikes (safely) to work. Lots of people buy bike products. An entire industry is building based on this small enticement. We’re flatter and sunnier. We could do that!
I come from a background of finding solutions. Please go to my website, franciesullivan.com if you’d like to know more.
In 1988 I was honored to be elected to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors. We thought those were the worst hard times, but we maintained the basic services. When cuts in benefits and staff were called for, we did it. But, we did it with regret and appreciation. That’s what leaders do in bad times. We figured out how to reopen the Burney Library, literally with spaghetti feeds and bingo games. When the National Forests had a change in policy that impacted northern California, I organized a group of California Supervisors who fought for economic assistance for rural communities. For several years I represented California local government is seeking solutions to issues regarding the management of federal lands in our area. The key to all of this is respectful negotiation.
My family has been in Shasta County since the turn of the century, when my great uncle, Rob Williams, moved to Whitmore from Plains, Montana. I’ve been here since 1966 when I came to attend Shasta College. My husband, Dick Roseberry, is a retired private lands forester, who grew up in Chico. We’re proud of our safe beautiful city. We’re committed to keeping it that way.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment.
