Candidates at Campaign Whistlestop from left are Heidi Moore, Sergiy Pronin, Madelaine Sanderson, Chris Mann, Rehana Rehman, Chris Clark and Leroy Tripette. Photo courtesy of Rick Sloan

 

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova community gathered on Sept. 20 for the 2024 Campaign Whistlestop Luncheon brought by the Cordova Community Council and the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce.   

Rancho Cordovas campaign whistlestop honors the tradition of political candidates rolling across town to make short pitches for votes.

“We are capturing that same spirit; candidates will have three minutes to give their speech before the train leaves the station,” said Shelly Blanchard, Cordova Community Council executive director.

The large crowd of Campaign Whistlestop attendees listen intently to the candidates’ three-minute speeches. Photo courtesy of Rick Sloan

During the luncheon, attendees heard from City Council candidates, including District 1, 3 and 4, and School District candidates, including Folsom Cordova Unified School District and Elk Grove Unified School District.

In District 1, American River, current Mayor David M. Sander, Ph.D. is running for reelection unopposed.

In District 3, Lincoln Village, candidates include Chris Mann, Sergiy Pronin, Amber Verdugo and Joe Little.

Chris Mann highlighted the need for community resources.

“We have an old community in Lincoln Village; people don’t have a voice,” Mann said. “Street safety and homelessness are both big concerns for me. We also need better infrastructure for parks.”

Fellow District 3 candidate Pronin, an immigrant from Ukraine, expressed his vision for a “city up the hill.”

“I want to make the life of our residents more comfortable and happier,” Pronin said. “My goals will be to keep the city safe and clean, the prosperity of our residents, making our city more attractive to young families and encouraging business development.”

Verdugo and Little were not present at the meeting.

District 4 candidates include Siri Pulipati and Leroy Tripette.

Pulipati, the current vice-mayor, stressed the importance of education, economic development and ensuring public safety.

Rancho Cordova Vice-Mayor Siri Pulipati gives her three-minute speech during the Campaign Whistlestop. Photo courtesy of Rick Sloan

Her opponent, Leroy Trippete, current Planning Commissioner, emphasized his commitment to making a family-friendly city focusing on recreational options for all, education and housing.

The candidates for Folsom Cordova Unified School District Trustee District 4 include Chris Clark and Madeline Sanderson.

Clark, serving in this position for eight years, emphasized he has been “accountable, accessible and visible” advocating for social justice, quality education and safe learning facilities.

Sanderson, a Rancho Cordova native, called for increased resources for local schools.

“We need to give parents a real voice, make schools safer, have effective technical programs, raise academic standards and give everyone access to the same quality facilities,” Sanderson said.

Elk Grove Unified School District Area 7 candidates are Carmine Forcina, Heidi Moore and Rehana Rehman.

Both Moore and Rehman addressed school safety and parental involvement. Moore stressed the importance of high-quality education, while Rehman highlighted the need for representation and advocacy for all students.

Forcina was not present at the meeting

The luncheon also featured a three-minute presentation on Folsom Cordova Bond Measure R and S, each seeking to raise $144 million for elementary schools and middle/high school upgrades.

“We are asking the residents of Rancho Cordova to step up for us one more time and vote for these bonds,” said Folsom Cordova Board member Jennifer Laret. “We have big dreams for our schools and we know our kids could really use this funding.”

Cordova Community Council Executive Director Shelly Blanchard welcomes the large crowd of Whistlestop attendees. Photo courtesy of Rick Sloan

“We want elections and government to be civic conversations, and I think today was a perfect example of what we want to strive for,” said Blanchard. “The diversity of candidates is amazing.”

Campaign Whistlestop returns at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 18 with candidates for California Assembly District 7 and Cordova Recreation and Park District’s 3 and 4 at Rancho Cordova City Hall.