Lincoln deserves better: It's time for a change

In November, Americans face a choice between new leadership committed to responsible stewardship and incumbents whose decisions have squandered public resources and damaged our world standing. Lincoln faces a similar choice: retain local leaders whose policies and management have contributed to our challenges, or elect people committed to accountability, sound judgment and the public interest. With five seats at stake, voters have an opportunity to reshape both the City Council and the Western Placer Unified School District board. Incumbent council members Holly Andreatta and Ben Brown are seeking reelection despite a council record that includes years of questionable planning, millions in deficit spending, costly litigation and concerns about transparency and accountability. Now, Measure F asks taxpayers to approve a sales tax increase that would create the highest sales tax rate in Placer County. Although promoted as a public safety measure, it also raises a fundamental question: Should taxpayers bear the cost of the council's financial decisions without addressing their underlying causes? Lincoln's development policies deserve scrutiny, too. Developers have profited from substantial growth, while questions remain about whether development has adequately funded the infrastructure and services that growth requires. Contributions from real estate interests to incumbent campaigns only heighten concerns about whose interests the council serves. Andreatta's Oct. 16 editorial in Gold Mountain Media asserts a balanced budget and healthy reserves. These claims must be considered alongside the city's actual operating results and depletion of reserves in recent years. The city's handling of The Gathering Inn proposal raises further concerns. Established procedures, community engagement and good-faith negotiations might have avoided costly litigation. Instead, the city reportedly spent between $500,000 and $1 million pursuing a lawsuit that produced a series of unfavorable court rulings. Whatever one's view of the proposed facility, taxpayers deserve greater transparency and better judgment from their elected officials. Andreatta's conduct has also generated controversy when, as a Lincoln city official at Twelve Bridges High School, she was recorded promoting racist and homophobic tropes and describing constitutional protections for the separation of church and state as a myth. Her reported efforts to prevent the video's release, and her subsequent confrontation with an opponent over related emails, raise additional questions about freedom of expression, public accountability and professional conduct. Andreatta's remarks took place at the inaugural meeting of Club America, a Turning Point USA-affiliated student organization established with assistance from school board member Marjorie Proffitt. Given the controversy surrounding the organization's rhetoric on race and LGBTQ+ issues, its presence on campus deserves public scrutiny. Proffitt voted to cancel an elective Ethnic Studies course in which 100-plus students had enrolled and for which the district had reportedly spent $60,000. The concern was that the course promoted critical race theory and would be divisive, a position reflective of those taken by the radical Moms for Liberty group. Critics disputed that characterization, arguing that the course celebrated the contributions of different cultures to American society and the local community. Why should students lose an educational opportunity after substantial resources have been committed to it because of a politically-influenced interpretation of its content? Proffitt has also pursued restrictions on classroom books and flags while the district confronts more pressing challenges: overcrowding, teacher turnover, uneven academic performance, financial pressures and student safety. A recent study reportedly found that 30% of students did not feel safe on district campuses primarily due to bullying. This deserves serious attention. Every student should be able to learn in an environment where they feel safe and respected. Proffitt is seeking reelection with a slate of "common sense candidates," however they are endorsed by extremists with their own agenda. Voters should consider whether their record and priorities reflect the values held by the majority of Lincolnites. An alternative slate of school board candidates – professionals and parents of district students – have pledged to prioritize students, teachers and academic excellence over ideological battles. Alternative City Council candidates offer voters another choice: experienced leadership committed to responsible management and constructive community dialogue. As you vote, consider what kind of community you want for yourself and your family. Do you envision a thriving, multicultural Lincoln where all people are respected and given the opportunity to succeed? Do you want local government that manages public funds responsibly and serves the entire community, not just influential interests and campaign donors? Lincoln deserves sound fiscal management, transparent decision-making, responsible development and leaders who treat residents with respect. Our schools deserve leadership focused on student safety, academic achievement and the well-being of students and teachers – not culture wars. Voters should weigh the incumbents' records against the qualifications and commitments of the alternatives. Lincoln has enormous potential. It's time for a change.