http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/articles Updates from Patrick Kennedy's Campaign http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/23 Congresswoman Doris Matsui announced today that she has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. “I am pleased to support Patrick Kennedy for City Council because he is a proven leader for our neighborhoods. I look forward to working with him on the key issues facing Sacramento including flood protection and creating jobs. On the School Board Patrick brings people together to build consensus and solve problems. We need his leadership at City Hall,” said Congresswoman Matsui when announcing her support. This endorsement comes on the heels of House approval of H.R. 1586, which provides $10 billion in grants to state and local governments to save an estimated 161,000 education jobs. “As a School Board Member, I appreciate Congresswoman Matsui’s continued commitment to keeping cuts out of our classrooms. On the City Council, I look forward to working with her on the local level to create jobs and make our neighborhoods safer through better flood control. I am proud to have her support,” said Kennedy. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/23 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/22 The Sacramento News & Review has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for City Council, District 5. In making their endorsement, the Editorial Board commented it was Kennedy’s concrete suggestions for "addressing the city’s fiscal problems that sealed the deal." They went on to cite Kennedy's "realistic attitude toward the issue of marijuana dispensaries and the need for “safe ground” for local homeless people, which demonstrates that he will mix compassion with pragmatism on the council." http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/22 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/21 After working in our communities for over twenty years, I am proud to announce the support of five organizations whose members have recognized my efforts to improve our neighborhoods at the grassroots level. My campaign for Sacramento City Council recently received the endorsements and support of the following: •The Democratic Party of Sacramento County; •The Women Democrats of Sacramento County; •The Latino Democratic Club; •The Sacramento County Young Democrats; and, •The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento. While each of these organizations are affiliated with the Democratic Party, they also represent great diversity in their membership. I hope this is reflective of the inclusive approach I have always taken in serving all communities in our City, and how I will continue to work when serving on the City Council. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/21 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/20 The Sacramento Police Officers Association (SPOA) has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. “The Sacramento Police Officers Association is proud to endorse Patrick Kennedy for City Council,” said Brent J. Meyer, president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association. “Patrick is from this community and has given back with his work in the neighborhoods, and as a member of the school board. We look forward to working with him in the future.” SPOA represents nearly 1100 active, retired and reserve Police Sergeants, Police Officers, Community Service Officers, and Communications Dispatchers within the City of Sacramento’s Police Department. “Keeping our streets safe has and always will be a top priority for me. As a City Council Member I will continue to work closely with rank and file cops, just as I have had when serving on the Neighborhood Associations in Oak Park and Hollywood Park, and as a member of the School Board. These brave men and women lay their lives on the line every day to protect our community. I am proud to have their support,” said Kennedy. Kennedy vowed to stay in touch with the cops on the street when elected to the City Council by participating in a ride-along each quarter of the year. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/20 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/19 Sacramento City Council Member Lauren Hammond has endorsed Patrick's campaign to represent her current seat in District 5. In 1997 Lauren became the first African-American woman elected to the Sacramento City Council. On the City Council, she has been a tough and outspoken leader tackling many of the same issues Patrick worked on when he was President of the Oak Park Neighborhood Improvement Association and as a member of the Sacramento City School Board, including the creation of services for at-risk youth, fighting slumlords, curbing prostitution and ridding our neighborhoods of gangs and drugs. "Lauren knows what it takes to represent the diversity of District 5. I am proud to have her confidence and support," said Patrick. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/19 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/18 Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council continues to gain momentum and grow in support with the recent endorsement of the Sacramento City Teachers Association. SCTA represents all full and part-time teachers and substitutes, including those who work so hard in adult education, special education, pre-school and children's centers, school counselors, psychologists, nurses, librarians and many others in the Sacramento City Unified School District. As Vice President of the City School District Board of Education, Patrick works with SCTA members on a daily basis. Together, they are committed to providing all of our kids with a quality education, even in the face of drastic budget cuts passed down from the State. “Patrick has proven to SCTA members to be a committed leader on the School Board and in the neighborhoods he represents. After meeting with the other candidates, this was an easy decision to make. Sacramento needs Patrick on the City Council,” said SCTA President Linda Tuttle. Patrick is gratified by the support and confidence from SCTA members, and looks forward to working with them to develop partnership opportunities between the City and the District when he is on the Council. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/18 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/17 Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 has endorsed Patrick's candidacy for Sacramento City Council. City of Sacramento Fire Fighters protect over 144 square miles with a population of over 450,000. They are responsible for far more than just protecting life and property from the ravages of fire. They are often the front line first responders providing emergency medical services, hazardous materials regulation and response, special and technical rescue, fire prevention code enforcement, public education, and disaster preparedness. "In District 5, Station 6 in Oak Park has long been one of the busiest stations in the nation. Station 12, in Hollywood Park, has even answered the call when my own daughter suffered from a diabetes related medical emergency, and I credit them with saving her life. I am honored to have their support," said Patrick. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/17 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/16 After an extensive vetting process, the Sacramento Central Labor Council endorsed Patrick for Sacramento City Council. The Sacramento CLC represents over 160,000 working men and women from almost 100 affiliates throughout the Sacramento area. Their support is critical in a tough election. During this campaign, Patrick continues to stress the importance of working with the entire community, even those with differing points of view, to solve the problems facing Sacramento. With this endorsement, Sacramento’s largest labor organization has joined local businesses and business leaders across the city in support of Patrick's campaign. As school board member, Patrick continually stresses the importance of working with students, parents, school employees, teachers and the community to tackle the critical issues facing our schools. He will bring the same collaborative approach to City Hall. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/16 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/15 Former Senator Deborah Ortiz has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for the 5th City Council District. "As a neighborhood leader, planning commissioner and now as a School Board Member, Patrick is a proven leader," said Senator Ortiz when announcing the endorsement. "He has my strong support for City Council." "This is a particular honor, as Deborah knows as well as anybody what it takes to serve District 5, having represented it on the Council prior to being elected to the State Assembly and State Senate," said Patrick. During her time on the City Council, Senator Ortiz focused on making neighborhoods safer. She authored the Sacramento ordinance prohibiting the sale of firearms in neighborhoods and requiring gun dealers to register with the City Police. "When I am elected to the City Council, I intend to build upon Deborah's record and emulate her commitment to our neighborhoods" added Patrick. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/15 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/14 The Sacramento Association of Realtors has announced it is supporting Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. The Sacramento Association of Realtors was founded in 1908 as the Sacramento Realty Board with about 50 original Members. Today, the association serves over 6,000 members. This endorsement underscores the fact that Patrick understands that the real estate industry is a vital component in Sacramento’s economic recovery. Recent news indicates an improved market, albeit slow. Local government has to work with this important economic sector to find ways to help them thrive and benefit our economy. On the City Council, Patrick is committed to do just that. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/14 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/13 There has been quite a bit of conversation recently about the many issues facing our city, particularly those facing the business community. This discussion is both healthy and necessary if we are going to navigate Sacramento through these trying economic times. Our City, like many communities, has seen a growing trend toward putting politics over policy and divisiveness over decision making. We have to change this culture. Good people will disagree, but there comes a time to put those disagreements aside and get to the business of turning our City around. I am running for City Council because I want to be a part of this change. I am no stranger to working through volatile issues and times. Early in my days of community service, I served as President of the Oak Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. Working with community leaders we created change in our neighborhood by targeting drug dealers and cleaning up our parks. We fought to open the first new school in Oak Park in 40 years and worked with City leaders to open a neighborhood supermarket when opening a business there was considered a risk. When I was appointed to City Planning Commission in 1993, businesses were leaving Sacramento because it was a place where it was simply too difficult to “do business”. City leaders embarked on efforts to fix what was broken, creating the Development Oversight Committee, stream lined processes and consistent policies and practices geared toward removing unnecessary roadblocks and tangled red tape to help business thrive. These coordinated efforts resulted in the creation jobs and opportunities. Now is the time for us to once again come together and identify areas in which we can do better. As a lifelong Sacramentan, public official, and candidate, I welcome the opportunity to work with you and others in the community to right the ship. Bringing those with divergent points of view together, I tackled tough problems in our community and worked to create jobs. I know that we can work together on the issues we face today. Please feel free to call me at 446-4434 or email me at Patrick@patrickkennedylaw.com to share with me concrete ideas how we can work together for a better Sacramento. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/13 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/12 Former Mayor Anne Rudin today announced her endorsement of Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. As one of our city’s longest serving leaders, having served 21 years on the City Council and as Mayor, Mayor Rudin recognized the leadership and collaborative style Patrick will bring to the City Council when making her decision as to who will best represent District 5 and the City. “I have no doubt Patrick will serve the neighborhoods of 5th District well on the City Council. I have seen him working on issues of importance to the City for twenty years. He will bring a refreshing and effective voice for collaboration and civility to City Hall," said Rudin. Among many notable accomplishments during her tenure, Mayor Rudin set the stage for Sacramento to successfully move forward economically after three area military bases closed and privatized. She also played a leadership role in seeing that Sacramento was one of the first cities in the nation to recognized same-sex couples. On the Council and as Mayor, she led with an uncommon balance of grace and resolve. "It is humbling to have the Mayor's support and confidence," said Patrick upon learning of the endorsement. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/12 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/11 As we enter the holiday season, I want to take this time to wish you and your families a happy and restful Thanksgiving. When President Lincoln penned the original Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863, our nation was as divided as any time in our history. Today, we find many divisions in our communities: a divisive but important health care debate, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and acrimony in the halls of government at every level. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as its very purpose, as set forth by Lincoln, is one of reflection and appreciation for our many blessings. I hope you will join me as I sit down for Thanksgiving with my family and consider all that unites us as a community and set aside differences that divide and truly give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving! Patrick http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/11 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/10 Oktoberfest Celebration was a Great Success! Last month, we held our Oktoberfest Celebration at Sierra 2. The event was a great success with over $25,000 raised. This brings us even closer to our fundraising goals. It was a fun evening with friends and neighbors new and old. I was grateful to see a number of community leaders like County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, City Council Member Sandy Sheedy, SMUD Board Member Nancy Bui and Sacramento City School Board Members Ellyne Bell and Donald Terry stop by to enjoy the sauerbraten and beer. Reaching out to Neighbors Our outreach to neighbors continues to gain momentum. We recently kicked off our coffee program with a goal of holding a coffee one night every week throughout the District. If you are interested in scheduling a coffee in your home or place of business, please contact Judy at 446-4434. We supply the refreshments and all we ask of you is to invite your neighbors and friends with questions and concerns about your neighborhood and the City. We try to make it very little work for our hosts, plus we always have a good time. Walking Your Neighborhood We continue to walk our neighborhoods reaching out to voters throughout the district. Walking door-to-door has shown our neighbors to be engaged and ready to share their opinions – input that will serve me well when on the Council. As always, contact us through our website (www.patrick-kennedy.com) if you want to join us on a neighborhood walk. And speaking of the website, we recently had our 15,000th visitor! I encourage everybody to sign up through the website (www.patrick-kennedy.com) and our Facebook fan page to ensure you are getting up to date information on the campaign. Finally, please feel free to contact me personally at patrick@patrick-kennedy.com or call me at 446-4434 if you have questions of me or if you have information you think would be helpful to the campaign. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/10 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/9 SMUD Director Genevieve Shiroma has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. Genevieve has served the SMUD Board of Directors with distinction since 1998, representing the Fourth Ward, which includes Curtis Park. She also serves on the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. “Genevieve understands the plight of the working people in the 5th District. As the daughter of a farm worker, she understands the hardships of low income families and has spent her public career as a voice for those who are often voiceless. Having her support is truly humbling,” said Patrick upon announcing the endorsement. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/9 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/8 Knocking on Doors in the Neighborhoods of District 5: The precinct walking continues to go very well. I am glad to have entered this stage of the campaign. There is nothing more rewarding than having the opportunity to talk directly with neighbors and discuss the issues facing our neighborhoods and our city. Having talked with hundreds of neighbors, the response has been tremendous. From the Curtis Park Village proposal to the “Strong Mayor” initiative to speed bumps (aka speed humps; aka speed lumps; aka undulations. . .) and the City budget, our neighbors are engaged and ready to share their thoughts. Listening now will help me lead later. I also want to thank all the volunteers who have joined us on walks and encourage everybody else to sign up on the Website. Jerry and Dorothy Enomoto Endorse Patrick Kennedy for City Council: I am proud and honored to announce that two iconic leaders in our community have endorsed my candidacy, Jerry and Dorothy Enomoto. Jerry has a lengthy and most distinguished career in law enforcement. In 1994, he became the first Asian American to receive a presidential appointment as United States Marshall. Dr. Dorothy Enomoto is a trail blazer as well as the first African American woman to manage a California Department of Corrections Institution. Executive Airport Master Plan Update: The Sacramento County Airport System is undergoing an updated for the Executive Airport Master Plan. I had the privilege of participating in a less extensive review of the plan in the ‘90s as then-President of the Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association. County staff recently presented their current update activities at a recent HPNA meeting I attended. Like the last go-around, public input will play a major role in the future of the airport. Working with county staff, we must ensure the airport will be a thriving economic asset to the City while not creating any undue burdens to the surrounding neighborhoods. You can get the study materials online at www.sacairports.org. Sacramento Regional Internal Study Mission: I had the opportunity to attend this event, hosted by local ethnic Chambers of Commerce, LEED, SACTO, Sacramento Regional Transit, SACOG, UC Davis, and Valley Vision. Regional leaders spent two days on a bus tour studying the exciting work being done in economic development in the Sacramento Region. We saw first hand why Sacramento is, and can continue to be, the “Best of, First at, or a Leader in” so many discoveries, projects and business opportunities that will see us through the current economic downturn. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/8 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/7 Sacramento City Council Member Bonnie Pannell and Council Member Sandy Sheedy have endorsed Patrick Kennedy’s campaign for Sacramento City Council, District 5. “I am proud to have the support of Council Members Pannell and Sheedy. I have had the great privilege of working with them over the years and look forward to continuing that relationship when I am on the City Council,” said Patrick upon the announcement. Pannell represents District 8 in South Sacramento and Sheedy represents District 2 in North Sacramento. They join their colleagues, Council Members Ray Tretheway (District 1) and Steve Cohn (District 3) in endorsing Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/7 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/6 Former Sacramento Fire Chief Julius Cherry endorsed Patrick Kennedy’s campaign for Sacramento City Council, District 5. “I am proud to support Patrick Kennedy for City Council because of his commitment to public safety and years of service to the neighborhoods of District 5,” said Chief Cherry. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/6 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/5 The International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers, Local 39 in Sacramento, has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. Local 39 represents approximately 2,500 workers in the City of Sacramento and covers a wide variety of workers in the Public and Private sectors, such as engineers, water treatment plant operators, building inspectors, code enforcement officers, librarians, park maintenance workers, and sanitation workers, just to name a few. “I welcome the support of working men and women at the City and I look forward to working side-by-side with them to make Sacramento great,” said Patrick. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/5 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/3 The Sacramento Builders Exchange, the largest development association in California, has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. In doing so, the Builders Exchange has put its faith in Patrick's economic development message and the leadership he will bring to City Hall. "Patrick Kennedy is far and away the most qualified candidate for the job. We don't often make endorsements this early, but when you get a candidate like Patrick, the decision is easy,” said Matt Hedges, Director of Public Affairs for the Sacramento Builders Exchange. http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/3 http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/4 I am proud of the broad range of support that I received from all across Sacramento. It shows the level of support this campaign is attracting from so many walks of life in every community of the City. A big thank you for everyone who helped me reach my early fundraising goal! http://www.patrick-kennedy.com/updates/4