Mayor Kevin McCarty showed heart and optimism. Let’s hope it translates to his term. | Opinion
The dust has settled from a hard fought mayoral race and Kevin McCarty is now showing his softer side.
In his first speech as Sacramento mayor, McCarty thanked all the people who helped him in this campaign. His love and gratitude to his passed mother created a sweet moment in the council chambers on Tuesday.
“There is a seminal person who is not here tonight but I know she’s here with us in spirit and that’s my mom,” McCarty said on Tuesday as he began to get emotional. “I know that last Monday on Dec. 2 we got the word that we won this election from the county. They said you won this election by 1941 votes and I said of course I did, that was the year that she was born.”
On Tuesday, McCarty set a course for himself and the council.
McCarty’s first swing at the gavel
“I may be the mayor, my name is different but I’m on here on a team with you,” McCarty said to the council. “I’m one vote with eight of you, nine total. I’m planning on serving as the captain of our team but we’re all in this together.”
McCarty is nothing if not a man who does his research. He went from one end of council to the other, stating the needs of each member’s districts, from more investment in District 2 to completing bike trails in District 7.
The new mayor did cause a bit of confusion when he chose to table the vote on City Manager Howard Chan’s contract to next Tuesday Dec. 17. Councilmembers Lisa Kaplan and Mai Vang both asked the new mayor to clarify what the motion was.
This motion went against previous comments he made when asked about Chan’s contract in a debate back in October.
“I do think that we can’t have this issue heard on the night we’re sworn in, I think it’s too soon. I think the following week is too soon as well,” McCarty said on Oct 23.
McCarty won his election running on a plethora of issues, but it was his continuous focus on homelessness that I believe put him over the top. He said throughout his campaign that he’d be open to using policing to get homeless people out of city parks and neighborhoods.
Though that might’ve led McCarty to be the victor, it contrasts the message he sent on Tuesday. The course he sets out for the next for years must be one to unify this city.
Leading one Sacramento forward
In the same debate in October, McCarty was asked if residents take precedence over the unhoused and he agreed that they do.
If McCarty truly wants to send a message of hope and optimism, his leadership as mayor must be centered on everyone in this great city.
Though McCarty did not mention his opponent Flo Cofer by name, he acknowledged that this race was close and he will be the leader of both sides.
“To the people of Sacramento, thank you for selecting me–96,000 people strong. It’s an amazing number in front of me, but I’m also reminded of the other number, 94,000 people who voted for somebody else because I am your mayor as well. I intend and I know that I will serve as a proud mayor because after all we are one Sacramento.”
McCarty presented himself to the people of Sacramento as a genuine and committed public servant that believes in this city.
“I know there is a long list of issues that we need to address, but I know there’s a list much longer of the greatness in our city–great people, great neighborhoods, great assets. We have a lot of pluses in our community.”
McCarty kept the mood optimistic and hopeful. But to reduce homelessness, enforce pedestrian safety and support small businesses, he must get real about the work and unity that it’ll take to accomplish all this.
Let’s hope he’s up for it.
