More than 120 neighbors packed the David Lubin School cafeteria in East Sacramento last night for the third of eight "town hall" style meetings I am holding throughout Sacramento. These forums allow for an unfiltered exchange of questions and answers between me and residents of each city council district. They help voters hear my priorities, and I get to listen to their concerns.
East Sacramento is one of the wealthiest parts of our community. But most of the concerns I heard here were the same as in one of the poorest sections that I went to last week: public safety, transit, economic development, and education.
One resident told me he was tired of seeing the "holes in the ground" downtown, instead of development that creates sustainable jobs. Another lamented the lack of a mass transit system that services the airports and all parts of our community. Others were concerned about the reduction in police and firefighters available.
I also heard from a Midtown resident who asked about my position on marriage equality. I told her that I had my own personal views, but that I'd never force them on anyone, and that all citizens deserved the same civil rights.
It was a hearty, hour-long exchange, and I look forward to the remaining five of these meetings I'll hold in a neighborhood near you in the coming weeks.