Comstock's magazine 0619 - June 2019 | Page 33

but that’s not what we’re working with. So that’s a huge challenge to redeveloping any major shopping center. In response to a possible civil rights lawsuit, Citrus Heights may switch to district-based elections. How is that process going? [There’s] an attorney out of Malibu who has made millions of dollars suing cit- ies and forcing them into districts. [He’s] presuming that we are discriminating against Hispanics. ... He just goes on the last census, which is 2010, which says we have about 16 percent Hispanics in Citrus Heights. … His whole allegation is [Citrus Heights doesn’t] have a Hispanic on its city council, therefore [we] are discrim- inating. Well, no one has run, and that’s their choice. ... Except for 18 months after [Councilman] Mel Turner died and we appointed his replacement, we had an Af- rican American on our city council from day one through today. Twenty percent of our city council is African American, less than 5 percent of our population is African American. That statistic doesn’t even get mentioned. We are being forced to do this. So the last election is the last general election that we will have, and going forward there will be five districts. This will be going to a vote by June, and it will be in place by July. n Sena Christian is the managing editor of Comstock’s. On Twitter @SenaCChristian or senachristian.com. What should happen with Sunrise Mall? TWEET US @COMSTOCKSMAG Who is keeping you connected? Enable your team to focus on core projects and strategic initiatives, instead of the day-to-day operations. Around The Clock IT Support Business Continuity Industry Expertise Predictable Cost Disaster Recovery Learn more at gntsolutions.com Learn more at, gntsolutions.com Call us at 916-830-9460 June 2019 | comstocksmag.com 33