Citrus Heights News Briefs: veterans center, prostitution, SMUD money

Latest news briefs include the Veterans Community Center celebrating its grand re-opening, prostitution crackdowns in Citrus Heights, a look at money in the local SMUD election, and most recent local water conservation figures.

Veterans Community Center celebrates grand re-opening
A crowd of community members, veterans, and public officials gathered outside the Veterans Community Center on Sylvan Road Saturday morning for an official grand re-opening ceremony. The event featured a flag raising with the Citrus Heights Police Department’s Honor Guard and short speeches from leaders including Mayor Jeannie Bruins and Congressman Ami Bera. Although the center has been open and serving veterans, it has undergone significant renovation over the past three and a half years, headed up by Jim and Jeanne Rounsavell. The Center, located in the old 1862 Sylvan School house, is designed to provide a place for veterans to congregate, access services, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy various events and activities.

Citrus Heights Water District: water consumption down 25% for September
Local consumers in the Citrus Heights Water District reduced consumption by 25.4 percent last month, compared to Sept. 2013, according to the District’s Water Efficiency Coordinator Rex Meurer. The water official confirmed CHWD no longer has a mandatory water conservation policy in force and said during the current Stage 2 Water Alert customers are asked to voluntarily conserve 5 to 10 percent. The District has currently proposed raising rates and will hold a public hearing regarding the proposal on Nov. 15. (Read more)

Prostitution: Citrus Heights cracks down on massage parlors
As part of a multi-year effort to curb prostitution at local massage parlors, Citrus Heights police have been conducting undercover operations at establishments and working to have problem businesses lose their licenses. During an administrative hearing before the city council on Thursday, one massage business owner contested her business license being revoked, but council members affirmed the revocation, unanimously affirming evidence of prostitution and repeated code violations at the business. An Oct. 28 news report by CBS 13 said more than a dozen massage parlors have been shut down in Citrus Heights and 44 therapists have had their licenses revoked. (See prior story)

Money pours into obscure local SMUD race
Latest campaign finance disclosures show donors have given as much as $10,000 in the local race for SMUD board, which covers Citrus Heights and several nearby areas. Vying for an open seat on the board, candidate Brandon Rose has gained the support of the majority of current SMUD board members while opponent Tina Polley boasts the support of the entire Citrus Heights city council. Rose has raised and spent significantly more than Polley, reporting his total contributions at $47,000 through the Oct. 22 reporting period, with expenditures of $32,000. Financial disclosures show Rose is supported by a number of union political action committees, with a $10,000 donation coming from a Plumbers and Pipefitters PAC, and $5,000 from the IBEW Local Union 1245. His largest expenses were $10,000 for postcard printing and $18,000 in postage-related expenses.

Polley reported total contributions of just over $30,000 and expenditures of $11,000, as of the Oct. 22 reporting period. Her top contributions came in the form of two $8,000 personal loans to her own campaign, along with a $2,000 donation from the Western Electrical Contractors Association PAC. Her top expense listed was $2,800 for yard signs. The seven-member SMUD board is the legislative body of the agency and is responsible for setting policy and overseeing the district.

 Also published last week:

• Citrus Heights police: 13 crashes occurred in one day during last storm
• Real Estate: see the most expensive home sold this year in Citrus Heights
• Campaign funding: who’s backing the top 3 candidates in Citrus Heights