Kevin Johnson: As Mayor, I will work with the state and our regional neighbors in a mutual effort to help meet the greenhouse gas emission targets set by AB 32. The city has made a good first start at taking inventory of the greenhouse gas emissions it generates. Next, we need to diligently monitor our emissions. We can lead the region by example by taking sensible steps to become more carbon neutral. We also need to practice and encourage energy conservation and efficiency, including using energy-efficient equipment and technology. The city also needs to make changes to its vehicle fleet, including using alternative-fuel and low emission vehicles whenever possible.
Shawn Eldredge: Vehicles produce half of global warming causing emissions in the state of California, thus the answer lies in reducing auto emissions. I will encourage more plug-in stations for hybrid vehicles. Provide for more bicycle safe travel. Continue to encourage (fund) transit oriented development & increase funding to public transit connectivity.
Leonard Padilla: I would start with city, county, state and federal employees utilizing public transportation as a must.
Muriel Strand: In 1950, the average person in the U.S. used less than half the amount of energy as we do now. And no one thinks we were uncivilized back then, so we can just return to those ways of living. And since then there has also been significant progress in more energy-efficient methods for many of those older ways of living.
Specifically, I would propose modifying city ordinance/s to allow people to keep a few chickens and rabbits for food, perhaps goats for lawnmowing and milk, in order to reduce the need for driving to the store as well as distribution by trucks to the stores. And the more relocalized people become, the less need there will be for commuting to a job to get the money to buy the food and other things we need. And when people are getting better food and more exercise, health care costs will go down.
Basically, our economy is like a giant soufflé, puffed up with cheap fuels. As fuels become more expensive, our soufflé is going to deflate. We just need to make sure that what is left are the most important things, and that we avoid the economic shocks which always hurt poor people the most and rich people the least.
"Sacramento Executive Airport is an important part of the Sacramento region's transportation resources. It provides more than 392 jobs and more than $2.1 million in taxes, according to the county airport system. Yet developers and city planners have been eying the airport for possible residential development. What is your vision for Executive Airport? What kind of leadership will you provide regarding its future?"
-- Lawrence W. Miles Jr., Arden Arcade
Heather Fargo: Sacramento Executive Airport has played an important role in Sacramento's history. Sacramento County is the operator of all airports around us and they have the responsibility to make decisions about future operations. From a land use perspective, I have fought to keep Executive Airport identified as an operating airfield in the about to be adopted City of Sacramento General Plan update and not changed into residential or other land development.
Kevin Johnson: I think the Executive Airport is a valuable asset to the city and the region. The city owns the land the airport sits on and leases it to the county to run the airport's operations on. As such, we should work with the County to ensure the airport is one that is consistent with the world-class city we aspire to be by adding amenities for travelers. Before we undertake a plan to convert the airport to residential development, I believe that we should focus on completing the infill housing opportunities that already exist, including the Railyards and Township 9.
Shawn Eldredge: I have friends that use the airport for both recreational flights as well as regular business trips, losing that ability seems to be counter productive to the area and I would like to see the current assets, the airport & golf club, enhanced not eliminated. There are many stakeholders involved and it is critical to all stakeholders to be active participants in the upcoming master plan meetings.
