In recent years, Christian Scott has watched the Vacaville City Council operate from the sidelines.
He said that what he saw was not much progress on major issues.
“Working outside of the administration, I’ve seen a complete lack of meaningful change in the issues I work on, such as addressing homelessness in our city and taking fiscal responsibility with the budget,” he said.
Scott also felt that his district — District 4 — was one of the more neglected in terms of cleanliness and access to parks and amenities.
“Driving through the city, everything seemed fine until I got to District 4,” he said. “There are weeds and dirt and broken fences by the side of the road. The walk on the river requires a lot of attention. It has become a place with a lot of crime and drugs, people using the bathroom there.
Eventually, Scott said, “it got to a point where I decided, if I wanted to make a meaningful difference, I had to do it from within the system.”
So, Scott pulled papers to run for a seat in Vacaville’s 4th City Council District. Councilman Nolan Sullivan is not running for another term due to his promotion to Yolo County Health and Human Services director. So far, Jason Castle and Kristin Navarro have pulled papers for this seat.
Scott’s desire to see change goes back to his college days. Addressing the school’s student council, he said he had some issues he wanted to look into and began serving on the board – even to the point of being elected president.
“(We) went through tough times and it gave me a good experience,” he said.
Scott, 50, is the owner of Advanced Leak Detection Pool and Spa and a pastor with Mission, a church on Entertainment City Road. It is through his ministry that he became interested in finding solutions to the unresolved issues, which he wants to continue as a member of the council.
“We’ve spent millions of dollars on homelessness, and the only thing that’s changed is that we’ve got more police to police the homeless,” he said. “We have not found any solution. I have made recommendations to the House, but frankly it seems to be in one ear and out the other.
Scott began collecting resources a few years ago and hopes to bring 90 acres of land in northwest Vacaville to the small community off Interstate 80 to grow vegetables and livestock. He said he also found volunteer dentists, barbers and mental health clinics to provide services.
A similar shelter project was approved by the Solano County Board of Supervisors off Brown Street, but was met with opposition from residents and the City Council, and the project was scrapped. Scott believes this project, if approved, would go outside the city limits and be beneficial in providing shelter and services.
“If we can get this property and put the tiny houses on it, it will clean up the downtown commercial area, clean up the area and reduce the homeless population from drug and alcohol sources and allow for rehabilitation. Education and all the things they really need to get the help they need to become productive citizens.
Scott also wants the council to take a conservative approach to budget matters.
“I can’t stress enough fiscal responsibility and transparency in how we’re spending money,” he said.
Scott believes that money allocated to budget items should be spent on those items and not be used for other purposes.
“If I can get a seat on the council, I can sit on these committees and affect some change, some transparency, some fiscal responsibility and meaningful change in our community,” he said.
District 4, in the city center, is geographically the smallest district. Between Alamo Drive and Marshall Road/Humway and includes all or part of Peabody Road, Nut Tree Road, Shasta Drive and Tulare Drive. A full map of District 4 can be viewed at ci.vacaville.ca.us/government/police-department/vvpd-district-commanders/district-4?locale=en.
In District 2, incumbent Councilman Greg Ritchie is the only candidate to pull papers, while incumbent Councilwoman Jeanette Wylie has pulled papers to run in District 6. In the last election, Tapac Chastain and Jennifer House also pulled papers, John Carly and Joseph Green pulled papers to run for mayor. Incumbent Mayor Ron Rowlett has announced he will not seek re-election.
Incumbent candidates have until August 12 to file their nominations, although non-incumbent candidates can file by August 17, while the general election is on November 8.
An updated list of candidates will be posted at ci.vacaville.ca.us/government/city-clerk/general-election-information.
