Jake Mackenzie

With the weather having cooled down a wee bit,walking precincts is much more tolerable.Having survived last week’s candidates forum, tomorrow brings the Cof C monthly lunch where all candidates will get a chance to talk about” the state of the city” , including the Mayor himself.

Monday  8th September 7am. This past 2 weeks have been busy. Canpaign manager Barbara Mackenzie and the candidate[ that's how we talk around here] have been busy with lawn signs , recycled braveheart signs[ from the 1996 effort], doing interviews and  producing a  walking piece  aka “The Tartan Gazette[ vol 4 #1] . “The Candidate’ himself has been  walking with aforementioned piece in precinct#3618, aka G section ,in  the scorching heat of last week . This is known as” Mad Dogs and Scotsmen walk precincts in the 3 pm sun”.

This is my first ever blog.

PD Editorial: Solid record

RP thrives with Mackenzie, Smith and Vidak-Martinez

Bitter disagreements, primarily over development, festered between elections as control of the City Council whipsawed back and forth and successive city managers were shown the door.

The past four years stand in sharp contrast. A new council majority emerged from the warring factions and set aside old differences to build a record of accomplishment.

Rohnert Park has become an example of what local government can achieve. Much of the credit goes to Mayor Jake Mackenzie, Councilman Tim Smith and Councilwoman Vicki Vidak-Martinez, who came from different corners to form a new majority after the 2004 election.

The slow-growth movement produced Mackenzie and Smith. Vidak-Martinez was elected with support from development interests. But they share a commitment to fiscal restraint and government transparency. Their record includes successes on finance, economic development and responsible city management.

Since the 2004 election, the Rohnert Park City Council has brought about Change.
We have a new City Manager and a new direction for the City.
We established five principles to guide us as we work with staff and citizens to survive stormy fiscal waters while still voyaging toward a greener and brighter future:

• #1 Revenue Generation:    An economic development strategy is now in place to retain existing businesses and encourage new enterprises.
• #2 Infrastructure:   This includes maintaining our sewer system.  Money is needed to do this, so please vote “no” on the sewer rate initiative.
• #3 Safest City on the 101:    Public Safety is fully staffed and working efficiently.
• #4 Sustainability:  We saved money by recycling an old office building to create a new, green City Hall.  We are becoming “The Green and Friendly City.”
• #5 Partnerships:   We lead in coordinating county climate protection efforts, as one example.

I have been a key player in these efforts to change how we do business, protect the environment, partner with others, and move forward. Get on your bikes, Rohnert Parkers!  I look forward to working with you for change for another four years and would appreciate your vote!  Thank you, Jake.

Jake Mackenzie is running for re-election November 2008.

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