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Development
1) How will you ensure that the inevitable growth South of 50
doesn't have an adverse impact on those of us North of 50?
By insuring staff is not allowed to deviate from what was
approved by the Folsom citizens. This also applies to council
members. Impact fees must be adequate to build facilities,
roads, etc., to support that growth.
2) What is your position on future housing and commercial
development in Folsom?
There are a lot of stores in town that are empty. Some shopping
centers look half empty. Small businesses need our attention
equal to large firms. The City needs to regain its control on
economic development. The City has done a good job on affordable
housing the last 5 years and we need to keep it up.
3) Do you believe in keeping open space for future generations?
I grew up with a lot of open space around me. Today, it is all
gone. I am absolutely a pro open space person. But you must also
respect owner property rights. We should have a win, win
position.
4) Would you support or oppose the annexation of the Aerojet
Property into the City Of Folsom ?
Until I see more proof that Aerojet can give us clean land,
I would not support any annexations of their property. The
potential liabilities to Folsom are too great.
5) Many of the older neighborhoods (50 years and older) in
Folsom were neglected in terms of street paving, sewer
and water pipeline maintenance, and the like while the building
boon was going on. What will you do to not only correct that
situation but also make sure it doesn't happen to existing Folsom
neighborhoods as they age and building begins South of 50?
A lot of work has been done over the last 5 years in this
area, but more is needed. Drive around our older areas and you
can see it. Funding will be a challenge. We need to establish a
solid renovation fund for this area. Save now when you don’t
need it and you will have it when you do.
6) Would you support the placement on ballot the proposition -
with a very simple language and no gimmicks - around people
voting on development south of 50?
I don’t see a need for a general vote on development south
of Highway 50. The council knows the citizens goals. If they are
not followed, get rid of the council.
Johnny Cash Bridge:
7) What's your take on the Johnny Cash Bridge situation?...
In a democracy where you
have an established process and it is followed and there is a
fair vote – live with it. If the name of Johnny Cash were picked
during this process, I would be happily with the name.
8) Would you consider renaming the bridge to the Johnny Cash
Memorial Bridge?
No. Unless the citizens mandate me to do otherwise, my
responsibility as a Council member is to represent my
constituency.
9) Would you consider a city wide vote to change the name to the
new bridge (something other than Folsom Lake Crossing)?
No. We had a city wide naming process and the council made
their decision. Use your vote on more important decisions.
Priorities:
10) What do you think are Folsom's top 3 priorities that you
plan to address as a member of city council?
You must be able to work
on more than one issue at a time, often with equal urgency.
People come or stay in Folsom for the quality of life the city
provides them. We need to sustain this and expand it. There are
a lot of parts to the definition of “quality of life” and all
parts should be a priority. The future city financial decisions
will be critical. You need to live within your means. Our
oversight on major projects needs improvement. We cannot allow
any other city department to operate on a 9.6 million deficit
before action is taken. Finally, the City needs to look real
close at job losses, hunger, senior loneliness, respect for our
veterans, recreational needs, continued security and access to
their government. I believe our city can solve these problems
and I want to be part of the solution.
11) What is your vision for the city of Folsom? How do you
picture Folsom five years from now? 10 years from now?
Folsom is a great town. We offer our citizens a lot. The
council can still make it better. In 5 years, I see growth south
of 50 booming. In 10 years, I see Folsom north, central and
south as one great city, the pride of northern California.
12) Why are you running for City Council?
I had no intentions to run for City council until Eric King
decided not to. After reviewing the qualifications of all the
candidates, including the incumbent, I felt I could help the
city as a councilman. All the candidates are good people but my
Folsom government experience, record of accomplishments, and my
passion for Folsom to be the best for its citizens will make me
a very effective council member.
13) Do you think the mayor should be elected?
Absolutely! I know how poor and ugly the current system is and
needs to be changed.
14) what would you do to improve Folsom and make it nicer for
the community?
I believe the council has done a great job over the last
years. In my role as a park commissioner, I believe I helped
them. Partnerships can do wonders. If we all work together we
can improve road safety, senior citizen services, opportunities
for our veterans, and more respect for our city employees.
Etc.
15) Do you support the arts in Folsom? (art, music, events)
Absolutely! The arts are
a vital part of our quality of life in Folsom. My work with the
City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission, Library
Commission and the Arts and Culture Commission was instrumental
in bringing the first public arts center to Folsom.
16) Which is smarter? keeping within a given budget by reducing
expenses or raising utility rates/city taxes to help with budget
overruns?
Sometimes it is real easy for staff to recommend a fee increase
without looking within for cost savings. I will not support any
increases in fees or taxes without complete justification. Not
having an increase for a number of years is not the
justification I will accept.
17) What would you do to promote bringing more jobs to Folsom?
If we have good government, good amenities (schools, parks,
trails), and reasonable cost of operating in Folsom, companies
will come. A good well-trained work force and available will
help. Our community college should support this goal.
18) As the city continues to grow and more schools are built it
will become difficult to keep a large portion of Folsom's youth
in sports and Park and Rec. activities; especially during non
school periods. What would you like to see promoted for our
youth, in the future?
I don’t agree with this question assumption. If we get the
proper impact fees south of 50, we can build the proper
facilities for our kids. We have over 8,000 kids involved in
sports alone, this doesn’t count other recreation classes and
activities such as scouts. But I would like to see an auto or
trade program set up for those kids that don’t play sports.
19) There has been some speculation that the Folsom PD and the
Folsom Fire department has not been able to stay funded and
manned with the ratio of city development and growth. Can you
give us an example on what types of ideas you would propose or
support to ensure the safety of our quickly growing city?
This assumption is not accurate. Over the last 8 years, this
city council has been very generous to our public safety
personnel. Their budget is 58% of the general fund. Our
personnel are well treated and respected and compare very
favorably with other surrounding agencies.
20) Besides basic safety and health what would you consider a
priority to services most needing attention to our fair city?
When economics takes a down turn, people tend to stay home.
We need to keep our recreation services available to them. The
current budget cuts has affected the park and recreation
department greater than any other department. There is no more
fat.
21) how will the city mitigate the huge increase in traffic once
the new Mall is operational ?
We pay a lot of highly qualified people like Mark Rackovan a
good salary to give council members options. After those
briefings, I’ll make those decisions.
22) We waste a lot of water in this city. As a city council
member, what would you do to see that our parks start using
recycled water?
In my opinion, we waste more water on landscapes than we do
on parks. I’m certainly in favor of using recycled water in
parks. If it is cost effective and available now, we should be
doing it. I will certainly ask that question.
 Ernie
Sheldon
www.erniesarmy.org
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