Meet the candidates running for Rocklin City Council

Three people are running for two seats on the Rocklin City Council in the Nov. 3 General Election. Incumbents Jill Gayaldo and Bill Halldin are seeking re-election. A third person, Walter Moore, is challenging them for a seat. Gold Mountain California Media asked all three candidates to answer questions that may help give voters insight into who they are and how they view the job and future of Rocklin. Jill Gayaldo: Introduction: It has been an honor to serve on the Rocklin City Council, including as Mayor in 2021 and 2025. For 6 generations, Rocklin has been home to the Gayaldo family. I am running for reelection to maintain our quality of life for future generations, and to preserve our communities character and history.My husband Dan (Principal at Del Oro High School, retired), and I have raised our 4 children in Rocklin, and for many years my volunteer work was focused on their school and sports activities, serving as President of both the Parent Club and Site Council for many years. As small business owners, we have also been active volunteers in the City of Rocklin and Chamber of Commerce, and were honored to receive the Ruhkala Volunteer of the Year Award. My current volunteer work includes as a Board Member of the Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, and as a Board Member of the Rocklin Police Activities League promoting quality after school activities for our youth.I retired from the Elk Grove Unified School District as the Director of Transportation, spending 30 years focused on student safety, clean air vehicles, and transportation planning for our children. In 1948 my late father in law built the Rocklin Laundromat, family owned and operated for 69 years on Pacific Street. Main Goals: As Rocklin approaches build out, it is essential that we focus on how to maintain the high level of services we expect and deserve. Public Safety with police and fire is my highest priority. Fire safety and controlling fire insurance costs are crucial to our citizens. The City received a highly competitive grant this year from FEMA to assist in opening a 4th fire station and hiring 9 additional firefighters. The City continues to see our already low crime rate continue to decline. Public Policy Most Passionate About: Protecting and preserving open space and expanding our trail system is part of what makes our city vibrant. I am beyond pleased that we have partnered to purchase over 400 acres of the pristine Clover Valley in the past year, along with 184 acres of the Sunset Whitney Recreation Area with 5 miles of walking trails and 16 pickleball courts new this month. Current Issues to resolve: I support workforce housing in our city so that our kids can remain in our community; however, state law is eroding local control. The State needs to understand that we know the city best, let local leaders identify the appropriate locations and design/parking/ etc. It is beyond frustrating to lose that ability. How my perspective will benefit: As a no party preference voter, I remain committed to Rocklin, and not to any political party. As a member of a family living here for generations, I bring a unique perspective, and I think it is important to remember where we have been as we plan our future. As the only woman on Council for the past 8 years I bring the perspective as a mom and grandmother. As a small business owner, I know the challenges of our utility costs and costs of doing business that need to be addressed so that small businesses can thrive, which in turn provides needed sales tax revenue to the City to pay for police and fire and public services Bill Halldin: Introduction: My wife, Susan, and I chose Rocklin 27 years ago as a great place to live and raise a family. We launched a business in Placer County and raised our children in Rocklin Schools. My volunteer service to Rocklin spans more than two decades and provides me with an understanding of our community's past and the potential for the future. Before joining the Council, my volunteer service included serving as chair of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, President of the Sierra College Foundation, and President of the Sierra College Board of Trustees. I am a longtime member of the Rocklin Rotary, supporter of the Matthew Redding Foundation, the Rocklin Historical Society, and RRUFF. I also bring to the position the experience of 20 years as a business owner, understanding how to manage expenses, meet a payroll and serve clients. I also have extensive experience working closely with our School Board to ensure we are aligned to ensure our schools remain a great asset for Rocklin. Main Goals: As a Councilmember, my priorities are to keep Rocklin a safe community, manage tax dollars wisely and invest in our parks and maintenance of our open space. During my tenure, I have been an advocate for our small businesses, helping them navigate through COVID and continually engaging with them to understand how they are doing and how the city can help them succeed. I've learned a lot during my eight years on the Council and representing the City on a variety of boards and commissions and will be able to put that knowledge to work over the next four years. I am proud to have the support of a wide range of people and organizations in our community, including the Rocklin Police Officers Association, Rocklin Firefighters, Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce PAC, Mayor David Bass, former Mayors Greg Janda, Ken Broadway, Connie Cullivan and Scott Yuill, School Board President Julie Hupp, and Trustees Rachelle Price, Dereck Counter and Tiffany Saathoff, Asian Americans for Good Government PAC, Metro Chamber PAC, and the Placer Business Alliance PAC. For a full list of endorsements, please visit my website at www.BillHalldin.com Public Policy Most Passionate About: Measure C asks voters to help the City maintain excellent response times when our residents call 911 and ensure that we provide the community with parks and the level of service that make our community great. What is the biggest concern or strongest argument you have heard from people on the other side of this measure: People want fast response times from our first responders and understand that maintaining our level of service comes with associated costs. Current Issue to Resolve: While the city will always do as much as possible with the financial resources available, ultimately the city would run the risk of slower response times from our first responders and more limited resources to deliver services to our community, including maintaining our parks. (Measure C). How my Perspective will Benefit: Bill's commitment to giving back to the community has included leadership in local non-profit organizations. He currently serves on the board of the Placer Feed My Starving Children MobilePack and previously served as a Sierra College Trustee, chairman of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Sierra College Foundation. He is a past board member for the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Blue Line Arts, Rocklin Educational Excellence Foundation, Roseville Chamber of Commerce, and William Jessup University Community Relations Council. William Jessup University honored Bill with its Faith and Service Award and in 2018 the Roseville Chamber awarded him its Edward M. Friedman Award for Community Service. Walter Moore: Introduction: As longtime Rocklin residents, my wife, Monica, and I are proud to call Rocklin home, where we are raising our 12-year-old son. Family, faith, service, and community have shaped much of who I am and how I approach life.I have spent most of my adult life working with people, leading organizations, solving problems, and trying to leave things a little better than I found them.My professional career spanned 36 years with Pacific Gas & Electric, where I held a variety of positions and responsibilities. I managed employees in billing operations and also coordinated college recruiting efforts for the department, representing PG&E at universities throughout Northern California, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Sacramento State, San Francisco State, San Jose State, and Chico State. Main Goals: My work is focused on operations, employees, and recruiting, not on setting utility rates. Like my neighbors, I understand the frustration families and businesses feel when utility bills keep climbing faster than in neighboring cities. In fact, working inside a large utility gave me a firsthand appreciation for how decisions made by large organizations can have very real consequences for the people paying the bills. It taught me to look closely at costs, ask questions, expect accountability, and never lose sight of the customer on the other end of a decision. Education has always been important to me. I earned my bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration from San Francisco State University. In 2019, I completed my master's degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. Faith has been an important part of my life for many years. I am an ordained elder and have served as senior pastor of Mt. Moriah Church in Sacramento since 2006. I also serve on the executive board of our national church organization. Public Policy Most Passionate About: My interest in public service led me to apply for the Placer County Grand Jury, where I ultimately served as foreperson. That experience gave me a firsthand look at local government, public agencies, accountability, and the responsibility that comes with overseeing public resources. Serving as foreperson also meant helping lead a group of people with different backgrounds and opinions toward a common purpose.One of the most personal parts of my life has also led to one of my most meaningful forms of service. I founded 4everKiaraa Lupus Advocate Charity, an organization focused on lupus awareness, advocacy, and helping individuals and families affected by the disease.My family has experienced deep personal loss, and that experience changed me. Grief has a way of putting many things in perspective. It has strengthened my compassion for people who are going through circumstances that may not always be visible to those around them. How My Perspective Will Benefit: People who know me would probably tell you that it takes quite a bit to make me angry. Decades of management, ministry, family life, and public service have taught me that very little is accomplished by being the loudest person in the room. I would rather listen. One principle I have tried to carry throughout my life is simple: listen to understand, not merely to respond. Whether I am talking with an employee, a parishioner, another parent, a neighbor, or someone who strongly disagrees with me, I believe respect begins with genuinely hearing what the other person has to say. I am a husband, father, homeowner, retired business professional, pastor, charity founder, community volunteer, and neighbor. Those roles have given me very different experiences, but they have all reinforced the same lesson: strong communities are built by people who are willing to show up, listen, serve, and work together.