By David M. Greenwald
Christopher Cabaldon has been Mayor of West Sacramento for the better part of two decades, having been first elected in 2004 and become one of the defining figures of his city as well as the region, leading the way toward massive redevelopment of West Sacramento as well a high profile gay elected official in the area.
But last week, in a tightly fought challenge by first term City Councilmember Martha Guerrero, he conceded defeat, having fallen behind by nearly 500 votes in the tally.
“I’m humbled by the fact that the people have voted me in to be their mayor,” Guerrero told the Vanguard on Tuesday.
She stressed the need to protect infrastructure particularly during the pandemic, prioritizing services to the people, which she said was something that the voters “expressed concerns for.”
“With the pandemic, it’s really brought to their attention what’s important,” she said. “Quality of life is extremely important here in West Sacramento.”
She said, “Having a councilmember and someone in leadership who is tuned in to what their interests are – I think is clear now to everyone that that’s important.”
Guerrero talked about the support she has had over the years – which included an unsuccessful council run in 2016 and a successful one in 2018 – firefighters she mentioned as a big group supporting her. Labor in general, always adversarial with Cabaldon, also played a big role.
“A lot of citizens in the community have been interested in getting their needs met, in getting their views heard on city council,” she said. “I stated I was an independent voice and 
demonstrated that on council.” She called it “a campaign promise that was fulfilled.”
Guerrero noted that the election in 2018 involving the mayor was relatively close. The two candidates challenging Cabaldon at that time made it a relatively close race. Cabaldon won just 53 percent of the vote in 2018. Joe DeAnda received 40 percent of the vote while Esther Moskalets won about 7.
In retrospect, that was a warning sign to Cabaldon.
“That indicated to me that something’s not working,” Guerrero said. “There was a significant majority of people in West Sacramento had something more to say and was interested in doing something different.”
But 2020 was still challenging with the pandemic and more limited ways to reach out to the public.
“I was interested in seeing if I could help bridge any concerns that the community had with the council and with the administration,” she said.
Still, she said, “I was just a little surprised.” The other factor was that the turnout in this election – like it was in most places -was very high. Much higher than in 2018.
This wasn’t a growth issue. “I was supportive of seeing continued growth in our city,” she said. But she said, “I think we needed to be more inclusive of what their interests were and broaden how we provide direct services to people and families, especially during a pandemic.”
Guerrero feels that the council “is receptive” to the type of changes she is looking to make. “I know that councilmembers are plugged into what’s going on in the community and have been engaged.”
“I think they’re hearing it too,” she said. “And will be receptive to the changes I’m looking to bring as Mayor.”
The biggest change, she said, “is transparency.”
She said, “I had a hard time even as a councilmember understanding fiscally where the money was going and how we can adjust and pivot to the change in demand for service – for example, public transportation.”
She is also looking at “investments in infrastructure” will be more of a priority “than what I’ve observed in the last 20 to 24 years.” She said, “There has been a resonating concern that that was not a priority.”
The issue of policing looms large. The last police chief was suddenly terminated and filed suit against the city. Concerns have been raised over an officer-involved shooting.
“We’ve had an interim police chief at a time when we needed a police chief, someone who is going to be representing the police department,” she said. “I have not been supportive of that situation.”
She said, “It gives us an opportunity with police reform to bring in a police chief who is going to help ensure that there is accountability within the police department.”
Under Cabaldon they had transferred police officer positions into community outreach. She is looking at doing the Mental Health Services plan to do the community outreach – “but under the umbrella of the health and human services agency.”
She is concerned that half the department has under five years of experience.
“That’s not a good track record to keep,” she said. “We have situations that require police officers with experience to ensure that public safety is well served.”
She noted a lack of interest in the profession and the high level of competition for trained and experienced police officers.
Guerrero also noted her experience working with the NAACP who have come forward with a set of recommendations for a reform agenda.
She said her workshops and outreach will be: transparent, open, with broad participation.
“I just want to thank the public for their support and I look forward to working with them,” she said.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Support our work – to become a sustaining at $5 – $10- $25 per month hit the link:
Nice to see someone elected with a sense of humor.
What are you suggesting?
He’s suggesting that West Sacramento has a poor quality of life, but at least they don’t have Oertel.
Our esteemed outgoing president may have a term for West Sac that he’s used for select countries, and it would be unprintable.
They must have a better quality of life. After all, they have a port, a strong commercial/industrial base, as well as Bayer and Schilling.
They’re also adjacent to Sacramento.
On the other hand, have you seen some of the conditions, there? 😉
I suspect that one reason Martha won is that some of the citizens of West Sacramento were forgotten by the prior administration.
They have a long history of being a town that doesn’t have a particularly good reputation as a place to live or visit, despite their commercial/industrial success, proximity to Sacramento, port, and riverfront access.
And no bike paths/greenbelts to speak of, etc.
How’s their fiscal condition? How are their schools?
Any citizens in particular?
You use the term ‘administration’. Is the city structure there significantly different than Davis – like a ‘strong mayor’ ? I don’t think anyone would refer to Davis as being under the Partida Administration, nor recently the Lee Administration.
Yes, they have a Mayor who is independently elected and who has staff.
Thanks for the info on W. Sac . . . would that be a good thing for Davis? A can of worms, and probably best for another article – but I’ve never considered the advantages/disadvantages of the ‘strong mayor’ model and would be interested.
I’ve been trying my best to avoid such terminology. 😉
As do most civil human beings, except, ironically, our president. I believe that much of his popularity was that he was not a typical politician and that he didn’t mince words. Hopefully, once we get past 4-8 years of the presidential office being led by the epitome of the propped-up old party machine and boring sanitized discourse, we can actually find an outsider who is both not a figurehead for the Republicrat machine, and also not a complete arsehole . . . . . . . . . . nah.
I have never understood why anyone would think a complete outside would be a good choice for the top postion in the national government. Would you choose the executive of an airline company to be your pilot or vice versa? Would you choose the CEO of a hospital ( with no experience) to be your cardiac surgeon or vice versa? What is it about the ignorance of institutions and processes that is appealing in a candidate for a major office? What could go wrong?
Not ignorance, rather, not a figurehead for the party machine. Again, ranked-choice voting, the “second coming” of democracy. Note: An entertainment celebrity is no answer neither.
Did Guerrero come at Calbadon from the left or right? Interesting that she had firefighters support but calls for police accountability.
Unions, police accountability, Latino community – the progressives in West Sac backed her. Cbaldon was a supporter of the Gang Injunction, big ally of Reisig as well.
In addition to David’s comments, I believe Martha Guerrero’s experience in social work and mental health interest may provide her with a more balanced view of public health and safety. The current public awareness of a broader perspective on non-police based safety issues may have played a role in this upset.
Congratulations to Martha Guerrero. Best wishes to her.
I am disgusted by the denigrating comments about West Sacramento by some commenters here. It is shameful. West Sacramento, like all cities, has its share of challenges. It also has an amazing community of people who support one another. I had a front row seat to see their generosity when I headed up the Yolo Food Bank’s emergency response to COVID-19. What I saw is a group of committed citizens who supported their neighbors. Having done deliveries myself across the City I was amazed at its diversity—in many respects.
And if you think there are no bike paths or decent recreational choices then you simply have not been there recently.
Your skin-deep “analysis” of a city you do not even know is repugnant.
I’ve been there, recently.
West Sacramento is repugnant.
Thought I’d seen the worst of it, until I looked at some of the housing near the postal facility, recently.
The city also feels “unsafe”.
Don’t you think this comes across as elitist? Perhaps worse?
“Don’t you think this comes across as elitist?”
He doesn’t think so, David, perhaps because you encourage his elitism.
Call him on it more often. I do, but it gets censored.
Probably no more so than Hobbs’ comments, such as this one:
Or, maybe even in comparison to Robb Davis’ comment, from his perspective of doing “god’s work”.
You can’t say that a city sucks, anymore? West Sacramento is not alone in that, nor is it the worst one. It does have some positive features, some of which I mentioned.
In general, the Vanguard doesn’t focus much on reality, at times.
There’s a reason that cities such as Davis are considered more “desirable” (and have higher home prices), though it might also be slipping somewhat. But not necessarily for the reasons that you might put forth.
I don’t think that’s why your comments are ‘censored’. But don’t blame me, I’m all for people dying on their own swords.
Well if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle . . . . . oh, forget it 😐
I think what DG’s saying is “Don’t you think this comes across as elitist? Perhaps racist?”. Don’t let me put words in your mouth and please delete if I am – but please don’t delete if I rang the bell.
I think that’s what he was implying.
In any case, here’s my list of best-to-worst larger cities, within Yolo county:
1. Davis
2. Winters. (Almost knocks-off #1, due to its location near the Vaca range.)
3. Woodland
4. West Sacramento, the clear loser. (Despite that proximity to Sacramento, “poaching” of Davis companies, etc.)
“West Sacramento is repugnant.”
Wow! This reminds me of a comment directed at me when I was opposing Trackside, but promoting Lincoln 40. I noted that housing was needed even though it was likely to have a negative impact on me personally from student noise and the presence of a 5 story building. What this empathetic ( sarcasm) commenter wrote was that it didn’t make any difference what they put in my neighborhood since it was already run down ( they actually used significantly less congenial language). What they had not noticed was the effort that has gone into repairing, remodeling, and maintaining the historic, and near historic houses in the area. They saw what they wanted to see, and to them, it wasn’t pretty. They chose not to see the positive. I think the same is true of West Sac where I have spent some time at their community gardens & schools which can be used for community events.
To add to that point it plays into the regional perception that Davis is a bunch of elitist snobs.
(One might want to see where “repugnant” was first used, and “who” said it.) 😉
Also true. 😉
” What I saw is a group of committed citizens who supported their neighbors. Having done deliveries myself across the City I was amazed at its diversity—in many respects.
And if you think there are no bike paths or decent recreational choices then you simply have not been there recently.”
Amen and thank you, Robb, although you’ve been around long enough to know the nature of the commenters in question.
I am disgusted by those that shame the shameful.
My first impression of Fresno (where my brother and family live) was not positive. Sprawl, bad air, a seeming lack of character. Then I got to know people who were devoting their lives to making Fresno a better place. Those involved in restorative justice, reducing teen violence, and community development (among others). Their love for their city was infectious. There was a period when I was traveling to Fresno frequently for work. I biked around, got to know its restaurants, and community spaces. The combination of learning its spaces and people changed my view of Fresno.
Is Fresno “beautiful”? I would say “yes.” It is beautiful in that there are many who love it and are giving their lives to make it better. I still love going there and I learn something new about what knits a city together each time I do.
A city cannot be judged based on mere physical appearances. It must be evaluated from the perspective of people who love it. When you come to understand their love of place you will come to value what they value.
I feel that way about West Sacramento (and many other places I have lived and worked). One must learn a city. That is why I reacted to the comments here.
I love Davis even though I see its flaws and failings (I know them better than many). I just want people to hold out the possiblity that people living in other places can love their homes in much the same way. I do not see any value in denigrating them or their commitment to and love for their life places.
Nice post.
However, there are people in the Bay Area who denigrate the entire valley (which must unfortunately be traversed, to reach the Sierra), and who wish it would revert back to an inland sea. (Though I suppose that would make it more difficult to traverse.)
But, I will say (without even having visited it, in my memory) that Fresno also sucks. Same with Stockton and Modesto, though I’ve been through those. 😉
Yess Robb… but it is true that 40-50 years ago W Capitol in West Sac was the home to “44
motelssemi-brothels”… but a lot of changes have occurred in the last 20-35 years… pretty much all positive...But some have their heads ‘stuck’ in the past… or (up) elsewhere… requires major surgery to
rectumfyrectify the latter…I have a friend who has lived in Fresno his entire life. He is a musician and comedian who goes by the name “Brian Kenny-Fresno”. His entire shtick is putting down and making fun of Fresno. Although he also puts down Madera – and in this video, Los Banos:
https://cmac.tv/show/brian-kenney-fresno-los-banos-mv/
One can love a place and make fun of it too, or be real it’s problems/issues. Some can point out how great a place is, while others put it down – it’s all part of the pciture, and there is no reason to critically criticize the critical, or imply “worse” than elitism. Remember when Two-and-a-Half-Men visited Old Sac? We don’t all have to pretend that you can’t get real about a place.
Strangely, conservatives complain when people put down the country, but liberals complain when you put down a town. Can’t we all just be real?
I thought I had pretty much seen every one of the episodes. I must of missed that one. Did they pan Old Sac?
Oh, maybe I got my guilty pleasure sitcoms from years past mixed up as I don’t see a reference on the Goog. Hmmmm . . .
I do, though I thought it was Sacramento in general. Not sure, but I think there may have been an insult regarding Sacramento, in that episode.
What a great show, by the way.
“Lady Bird” (the movie) also simultaneously pokes fun at Sacramento, but ultimately pays tribute to it (in a way).
All that I really know is that the “other city’s” high school (or even professional) football team sucks.
As does everything in “Shelbyville”.
https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Shelbyville
All that I could find:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymzqPugOLCU
Just trying to be “real” here. I think it is normal for people who know a locale to criticize it. After all, they know its ins and outs. They know what works and what does not. Being critical of home is part of trying to make “home” better.
But to gratuitously slam another place as repugnant makes no sense. It is petty and denies the reality that people in that place have found meaning and beauty there. To denigrate that which you really do not know is the definition of parochial and small-minded.
To criticize a nation as a member of that nation is fair and necessary. To belittle a neighboring community is pathetic
Hope that is real enough.
That’s a good point Robb. I often criticize Davis, but don’t like when people from other communities do – and most of the time, they are criticizing the wrong things anyway.
I didn’t have school spirit, and I don’t have city spirit.
Raw raw, shish boom blah.
Then maybe people from other communities shouldn’t read your blog as it might give them the emphasis to.
Got to agree win Alan M, here..
Huh? C’mon Robb, you’re much better than that!
Frankly, I do not know what you are calling me out on here Bill. I am saying that cultural critique begins from within. What am I missing here?
I parsed it wrong…
I totally missed the implied commas… my bad…
Let’s just all agree that Fresno sucks. 😉
And, that West-Sacramento is the soul of the earth. (Hey – it must be, since they’ve got Schilling and Bayer!)
Funny, I was watching the first episode of season 2 of “Mayans M.C.” last night. The M.C. is distributing food south of the border in Mexico (of course, it’s a cover for heroin distribution). Two club members have the following exchange:
“D*mn, I haven’t seen this kind of poor and wretched since Afghanistan.”
“Well brother, you’ve never been to Fresno.”
“I know.”
I don’t even know what that is supposed to mean.
But I do take from this: To belittle a neighboring community is pathetic. Alan Miller criticizes neighboring communities. Therefore, Alan Miller is pathetic.
I can live with that.
I posit another theory, that might make sense due to the small margin of win/loss that there were a number of voters, who ‘came out of the closet’, so to speak, who realized (based on a lot of news reports, campaign ‘stuff’) who realized that the soon to be former mayor was more interested in promoting his “image” at a State and National Mayors level, than actually serving the W Sac community… a lot of his “profile” press releases seem to be more focused on his future, based on his identity, than his functions/responsibilities…
Another factor could well be, after so many terms, folk just wanted a change… for whatever reason… a form of ‘term limits’, w/o institutionally requiring that… time to “move on”?
With a 500 +/- vote margin, I strongly suspect there were/are several factors beyond those discussed above… but I’m not a poly-sci major, so what do I know? 500 votes is a very small margin… those who assume the reason, are probably fooling themselves, by simplifying the reasons…
I join Robb D in wishing the mayor-elect, and the City (not town) of West Sacramento well…