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Councilperson Tretheway Accused of 'Disrespecting' Neighborhood

Sacramento City Council candidate Efren Guttierrez is charging that incumbent Ray Tretheway "disrespected" the people in his district when he skipped a Gardenland / Northgate Neighborhood Association (GNNA) candidate forum Thursday night.

Candidates Guttierrez and Angelique Ashby did attend the neighborhood meeting, speaking for about 10 minutes each, and answering constituent questions. Tretheway chose to ignore the neighborhood association and attend a swanky fundraiser for the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

"Ray made his choice. Spending 10 minutes with his community, or several hours hobnobbing at a downtown art gallery. He could have easily attended the GNNA meeting for a few minutes, and still had time to get back to his precious fundraiser. He disrespected the people of South Natomas," said Guttierrez.

"This is the kind of representation we've had with Ray. He'd rather mingle with friends at a fancy event than address the people and the needs of the district. We've been begging for an emergency care clinic in South Natomas, where our only police sub-station has closed. And we need a larger fire station. But where is Ray?

"This is why I am running. This district is where I work and live. It's where my heart is at. I don't need a big bankroll like Ray, or 'important' people to endorse me who then ask favors. I have the support of the people. It's why I am running, and why I am going to win," said Guttierrez.

Declaring his candidacy just a month ago, Guttierrez has repeatedly said his only special interest will be "the people, not the out-of-town special interest money that Ray."

Guttierrez, 54, a local real estate broker and community activist, is the executive director of Chicano Consortium, and president of the La Raza Sacramento Chapter. He's a member of a large number of social justice, education and public safety organizations.