stonewall questionnaire,rk,final

8/2/2019 Stonewall Questionnaire,RK,Final

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STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF GREATER SACRAMENTO

Candidate’s Questionnaire

INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. Please answer all questions. We encourageall candidates to explain an answer as there is no word limit. Do not make changes to any

of the questions. Your answers are public information, and you must sign each page of thisquestionnaire. For candidates seeking consideration prior to the California Democratic PartyConvention, you must submit this document by January 3, 2012.

Email completed and signed questionnaires to Seyron Foo, chair of the Political ActionCommittee at [email protected]. The email subject line must include: PAC – Last Name,First Name, Office Sought.

Example: PAC – Sylvester, Sue, Congressional District 4

Please feel free to attach any additional information to the questionnaire. An explanationaccompanying a “yes/no” question is always welcomed. If you have questions, please feel freeto contact us by email or at (323) 319 4366.

NOTE: Stonewall policies prohibit the club from endorsing anyone other than a registered Democrat, even in non-partisan races. If you are not a registered Democrat please do not complete the survey.

PART I | CANDIDATE INFORMATION | Portions of this part will be redacted.

Name Rob Kerth

Office Sought Sacramento City Council, District 2

Campaign Committee ID Number 1341902

Name of Campaign Committee Rob Kerth for City Council 2012

Campaign Address

(Including City, State, and Zip)

510 Bercut Drive, Suite S

Sacramento, CA 95811

Campaign Phone (916)446-7600

Campaign Email [email protected]

Campaign Web Site RobKerth.com

Estimated Campaign Budget

Cash On Hand as of the last FPPC

filing period (indicate filing period).

$150,000

$25,000

PART II | ISSUES OF INTERESTPlease review the mission statement of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento.

CANDIDATE’S SIGNATURE

February 24, 2012 PAGE 1





Mission Statement

• Advance equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity

• Support public policies that advance lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender (LGBT)equality at all levels of government

• Elect qualified, openly LGBT people to public office as well as other Democratic Partycandidates who support LGBT equality

• Work within the Democratic Party to advance LGBT equality and full recognition of LGBTfamilies

• Educate the public at large about LGBT issues and concerns

• Promote the Democratic Party’s message of economic justice and social equality for all

1. Do you support the goals and purposes of Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club, asoutlined above?

(x) Yes ( ) No

2. Identify one of the goals of the mission statement and elaborate how you have helped toachieve one of the objectives.While I could go on at length on my efforts on these issues, I would like to highlight onerecent accomplishment as a SMUD board member. During SMUDs redistricting, the Boarddecided to designate the LGBT community as a community of interest during theredistricting process. This lead to Midtown being located in one trustee area and shouldlead to improved opportunities for LGBT candidates.

This is not the first time I've stood up for fairness. As a City Of Sacramento Councilmemberduring the 1990s, I supported creation of the domestic partners ordinance and thenextending healthcare benefits to domestic partners. While campaigning for Mayor in 2000, Iactively opposed proposition 22 during a tight primary race and celebrated when it was

overturned. I've gone on to actively oppose proposition 8 and I am looking forward tocelebrating its demise.

Supporting justice and equality for all is fundamental to me.

3. Are you a member of the Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club? If yes, how long haveyou been a member?

1. Yes ( ) No

I've been a member longer than three years.

4. Are you registered as a member of the Democratic Party?

(x) Yes ( ) No

5. Have you ever endorsed a Republican over a Democrat for elected partisan race, and if so,when and why?

( ) Yes (x) No







6. Will you be using a campaign consultant or campaign manager, and if so, who?(x) Yes ( ) No

Bryan DeBlonk, Capitol Campaigns

7. Are you or any of your staff or key volunteers openly LGBT?(x) Yes ( ) No

8. Do you support project labor agreements? Would you require project labor agreements incapital improvement projects?

(x) Yes ( ) No

9. Do you support the right of workers to collectively bargain?(x) Yes ( ) No

10. Do you support the right for a woman to access reproductive healthcare?(x) Yes ( ) No

11. Do you support comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship?(x) Yes ( ) No

12. Do you believe that entities receiving public funds or resources should be allowed to violatenon-discrimination policies (for example, the Boy Scouts allowed rent-free facilities at thepublic expense)?

( ) Yes (x) No

13. Would you support mandatory diversity training that includes LGBTQ issues for publicemployees?

(x) Yes ( ) No

14. In your current professional capacity, have you advocated for mandatory diversity training?If your place of employment has diversity of training, did you advocate for the inclusion ofLGBTQ issues? Why or why not?

( x) Yes ( ) No

In my capacity as a private employer, I only hire people who understand and appreciateLGBTQ issues to start with.

At SMUD, LGBTQ training is a key part of our diversity training. As a board member, I havehad several opportunities to promote the inclusion of LGBT issues. We have hosted anumber of panels over the years with both external members of the community and LGBTemployees (including me on more than one occasion). SMUD employees are currently

working on establishing a LGBT and Allies Affinity Group for employees.

SMUD was recently recognized by the California Diversity Council with the Diversity FirstAward for our commitment to diversity and strength of our programs and I am proud tohave been part of that effort.







15. Would you support mandatory diversity training for all law enforcement personnel, includingcorrectional peace officers, that includes LGBTQ issues? Why or why not?

(x) Yes ( ) No

16. Would you support the inclusion of domestic partner benefits in all employee contractswithin the jurisdiction of the office you are seeking?

(x) Yes ( ) No

17. Do you support marriage equality (equal marriage laws, permitting same-sex couples tomarry under state law, just as opposite-sex couples do)?

(x) Yes ( ) No

18. Did you publicly oppose Proposition 8? Are you active in the campaign to repealProposition 8? If so, what activities did you engage in (i.e. fundraising, rallies, etc.)?

1. Yes ( ) No

I publicly opposed Proposition 8 as an elected official. My wife and I donated personal

money to fight the proposition and I attended fundraisers. I attended several rallies andspoke out whenever I had the chance. I wore a “No on Prop. 8” button during the electionseason and put up a lawn sign.

We didn't win that battle but we will win the war. I look forward to being an old man whobrags to his great grandchildren that he took up the cause and never gave up.

19. Do you support local funding for HIV/AIDS services, including, but not limited to, needle-exchange programs? Why do you think needle-exchange programs are important to theLGBTQ community?

1. Yes ( ) No

Needle-exchange programs are a proven way to prevent the spread of disease. To nothave a program is a callous cruelty.

20. Do you support an age-appropriate public school curriculum that teaches awareness andsensitivity regarding sexual orientation and gender identity?

(x) Yes ( ) No

21. Do you support the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 which prohibitsfederal recognition of same-sex couples in the United States?

1. Yes ( ) No







Most of the worst mistakes in our country's history have sprung from our failure to extendliberty to everyone. Rather than, in the words of its advocates, “defending marriage,”DOMA tears at the fabric of our county. DOMA both baffles me and embarrasses me.

22. Under DOMA, Gay and Lesbian foreign partners of legal U.S. citizens are not recognizedfor immigration purposes. Would you support federal legislation to allow Gay nationals tobring their partners into the United States under the same criteria as heterosexualnationals?

(x) Yes ( ) No

23. Do you support requiring insurance companies, including HMOs, to cover medicallynecessary sex reassignment surgeries and treatments for insured individuals diagnosed bya physician with Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria?

(x) Yes ( ) No

24. Do you support requiring public employers to cover sex reassignment surgeries andtreatments deemed medically necessary if a person diagnosed with Gender Identity

Disorder or Gender Dysphoria?(x) Yes ( ) No

25. Do you support allowing openly LGBT Americans to serve in the U.S. military?(x) Yes ( ) No







26. Please describe how you will eliminate prejudice and/or discrimination in your own office ifelected.I work hard to make sure that all groups in our City know that they are welcome. I regularlyattend events and gatherings. I make sure that all groups have a place in the decision-

making processes of the government. I lead by example and am a constant source forreasonableness and inclusion, equally in public and in the private meetings where so manydecisions get made.

In my own hiring practices, I have a threshold requirement that my employees be open andinclusive.

27. Please describe how your election to this office would be a benefit to the LGBT community.I will be a strong advocate for equality who will be a go-to resource for the LGBTcommunity. I will make sure that LGBT community members has a respected place at thetable when plans and decisions are made.

28. Please describe (briefly) what your top goals will be if elected to this office.

Elected officials have a two-fold mandate--to give hope and to foster steady, measuredimprovement in the jurisdiction. Economically, times are tough and there is a sense thatSacramento, confronted with a declining State government and worldwide competition, willgradually diminish for years to come. This is nonsense.

My first years on the Council will focus on three things—volunteerism, modernizing the Citygovernment and creating jobs.

North Sac is broadly recognized as one of the most challenged parts of the Sacramentoregion. It lags, sometimes markedly, most of our region in employment, housing,

educational opportunities, transportation, recreation and community resources. One areaof strength is the North Sacramentans ourselves.

Together, we North Sacramentans have collectively rolled up our sleeves and tackled someextraordinary problems. Whether it is building and maintaining some of the largestcommunity gardens in Sacramento, re-landscaping and maintaining the 3.5 mile SacNorthern Parkway or reopening our neighborhood ice skating rink less than six months afteran arsonist tried to destroy it, there is a strength in the people in North Sac that fewoutsiders expect.

As a Councilmember in the 1990s, I came to realize that through volunteerism, knowing theway it pays itself forward, we could set North Sac right again. We came so far during myfirst tenure on the City Council but since then volunteerism has almost died. My first

objective as a Councilmember will be to re-kindle volunteerism in North Sac.







My second key objective is to change the way the City Council does business. Today, theCouncil attempts to manage the City with few of the skills needed to do the job well.Indeed, Council management appears to be little more than searching for mistakes topunish and issuing murky directions and objectives that change from meeting to meeting.

Sacramento deserves better.The Council’s job as servant-leaders of the City is to establish the expected results of theCity government and then the metrics that will gauge success. Once published, these twocompass points will guide an empowered City staff to create the methods to reach thegoals.

Finally, as a City we must create jobs. Economic development is one of the most pressingissue facing the Sacramento Region. As a region, we must marshal our resources todevelop employment sectors in Sacramento’s strongest niches--healthcare, biotech,agribusiness, financial services and education. Our local governments must do whatever ittakes to reduce the time and resources need to locate or grown in our region. We can dothis with speedy and dependable processes, high-quality infrastructure and organized

investment and incentive policies.

29. Please list other endorsements you have received.I am honored to have earned the early support of Assemblymember Roger Dickinson,County Supervisor Jimmy Yee, City Councilmember Steve Cohn, my SMUD collegesGenevieve Shiroma, Bill Slaton, Nancy Bui, Howard Posner and Larry Carr, Twin RiversSchool Board Members Bob Bastian, Cortez Quinn, Linda Fowler and Roger Westrup,Laborers Local #185, the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the SacramentoCounty Green Democratic Club, Rosanna Herber, Benjamin Phillips-Leseñana, GailMancarti, and the leaders of numerous business and community groups.

30. If you receive endorsement, will you list and disclose Stonewall as an endorsing

organization?I will proudly feature Stonewall in my list endorsements at every opportunity.







Background

I am a third-generation Sacramentan and one my life’s goals has been to make a differencefor Sacramento through public service. Having served as both a community volunteer andneighborhood leader, I know the both the importance and difficulties of healthycommunities. As an environmentalist, I helped the Sacramento Tree Foundation to launcha campaign to save energy and clean our air by doubling our region’s tree canopy. As asmall businessman, I developed unique products and made a payroll for many years. AsPresident of the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and as the Executive Director ofthe Midtown Business Association, I helped many businesses succeed, adding to theprosperity in our region. As Vice-Mayor and Councilmember of the City of Sacramento, Idelivered many long-overdue projects and I learned how to get things done. As a Directorof the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, I lead one of the most highly-rated specialpurpose governments in the country and know how governance, done right, can createresults.

I am qualified to be the next Councilmember for District 2 in the City of Sacramento

because I have the energy, the experience, the skill, the love for Sacramento and theresolve to re-weave the tatters of our City government.

By way of background, I f irst rolled up my sleeves in City politics as a neighborhood activistand Board member of the Woodlake Improvement Club and as a business owner andBoard member of the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. I was disappointed andfrustrated in the City's lack of response to my communities' needs. I challenged theincumbent and won the District Two Council seat in 1992 to give north area neighborhoodsa voice at City Hall.

Once elected, I was tireless in getting the slow, complicated machinery of government towork for people and gained praise for being an independent voice willing to take tough

stands on issues that matter to people. Leading the dynamic turn-around of the District withthe lowest median income in the City, I was re-elected in 1996 for my inclusive and effectivestyle of leadership placing people over politics, and from the perspective of local residents,for real results in bringing reinvestment back to the community.

I have earned a reputation as a pragmatic problem solver; a nuts & bolts thinker who otherCouncil members and Mayors Serna and Yee turned to for results time and again. As theSacramento Bee noted, "Kerth has distinguished himself at City Hall, both for his energy asa strong and effective advocate for North Sacramento and for asking the right questionsabout hard citywide technical issues such as budgets and infrastructure."

Generally, while on the City Council, I:

Served the 50,000 residents of North Sacramento, Del Paso Heights and Roblacommunities—widely seen as the most challenged part of town.







Initiated the redevelopment of North Sac by first building internal consensus on vision,developing the implementation plans, making the case to decision-makers in the largerregion, securing the financing and nursing the projects through to completion. Workresulted in the Uptown Arts district, Second Saturday Second Shift, Surreal Estate Artist

Lofts and the investment of $50M in public funds and $40M in private funds creating over1000 new jobs.

Re-focused the redevelopment of Del Paso Heights by strengthening community resolve,then competing for and winning the Urban League training center and the nationalcompetition for the Del Paso Nuevo infill village. Efforts resulted in the investment of over$60M of public funds and $30M in private funds, the creation of 1200 housing units and 275new jobs.

Created three new financing vehicles to spur economic development—Gas Tax bonding,City-backed redevelopment bonds and CIP reserve sharing and reuse. All receivednational recognition as new tools for other cities.

Key facilitator in the delivery of over $500M in City and regional infrastructure, housing andemployment centers.

Served as Council representative to Sacramento Regional Transit District, SacramentoCounty Regional Sanitation District, Sacramento Area Council of Governments,Sacramento Transportation Authority, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, SacramentoArea Flood Control Agency, Local Agency Formation Commission, Sacramento RegionalCounty Solid Waste Authority, Sacramento North Area Groundwater Management Authority,Crocker Art Museum Co-Trustee (Mayor’s attendee) and Sacramento Ball Park Authority.Rob served as Vice Mayor in 1997. City Council Ad-Hoc Policy Committees: Stadium/100Acre N. Natomas Site Committee; Flood Control/Water Development Committee;Downtown Civic Center/Metro Place Committee; Economic Development/Waterfront

Committee.

As the Sacramento Bee wrote in 1996, "Rob Kerth, Darrell Steinberg, Jimmy Yee and SamPannell...all deserve credit with (Joe) Serna for the turnaround at City Hall." Thatturnaround brought Sacramento a revamped downtown and riverfront, new major hotels,more accountable schools, cleaner neighborhoods, and a lower crime rate. I have alsofocused on increasing the efficiency and responsiveness of City Government while avoidingnew taxes, through use of technology and more pro-active communication with citizens anddiverse communities.

After leaving my seat on the City Council in 2000, I joined the Sacramento Tree Foundationas an Executive Project Leader and ultimately the Greenprint Director. During this period, Idevised, researched, developed and co-wrote the urban forest Greenprint, a plan toorganize local governments to increase their urban forest canopy in a financiallysustainable way. After creating the plan, I secured participation resolutions from 26 localgovernments in the Sacramento region. My work resulted in the Greenprint project winningthe 2007 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award and a federal grant toassess the ability of trees to improve air quality in the Sacramento valley.







After an eight year break from elected office, I won a seat on the Sacramento MunicipalUtilities District Board of Directors. Governance at SMUD is quite different from the City ofSacramento. At SMUD, the Board leads through policies and judges performance strictlyon tangible metrics. The difference creates tangible results. SMUD is recognized as one of

the leading utilities in the nation, maintains the second lowest power rate in California, isconsidered one of the best places to work in our region and regularly wins national awardsfor excellence. Policy-based governance can achieve the same results if applied at the Cityof Sacramento.

In addition to my work in elected office, I founded my own small business, Ice Unlimited,which brought Sacramento the original downtown holiday ice rink and then later theMidtown ice rink. I am also responsible for the design of ice rinks in Sacramento's ownPower Balance Arena and High Camp at Squaw Valley U.S.A. I also spent a number ofyears developing adaptive robotic software for vision-guided arc welding systems.

I am the third generation of my family to make Sacramento my home. I graduated fromNorte Del Rio High School in the Grant School District, and went on to earn a bachelor's

and master's degree from Stanford University in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasisin controls and systems. My wife Tracy and I live in the Woodlake neighborhood of NorthSacramento with our daughters Katie and Kylie, two blocks from my childhood home.

My 53 years of personal experience coupled with my family's long history here give me aunique perspective on Sacramento, both its past and what its future can be. I loveSacramento, and I know it has tremendous potential to be a great City. I look forward toworking with you to turn that vision into reality.



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