Spease Outlines Governing Philosophy, Goals at Elk Grove Mayoral Campaign Kick-off Event

February 24, 2016 |

In front of a large group of supporters, Elk Grove Mayoral candidate Kevin Spease outlined his aspirations should he be the city's next mayor at his campaign kick-off event last night. 

Spease, a current member of the Elk Grove Planning Commission, is challenging incumbent Mayor Gary Davis in the November general election for the two-year term.

Introducing Spease was former Elk Grove City Council Member Sophia Scherman. Speaking to the 100-plus supporters gathered at Elk Grove's Holiday Inn Express, which included Elk Grove City Councilman Steve Detrick and fellow planning commissioner Frank Maita, Scherman said she would not offer an endorsement for mayor unless they were doing it for the right reasons.

Scherman told the audience Spease possesses those qualities and added, "Kevin is a person with a great degree of integrity, compassion and love for this city." 

After Scherman's comments, Spease thanked his family, the audience, several close friends and quickly launched into his reasons for running. Spease stressed politicians are great talkers, but poor listeners. 

"Most politicians will start their campaign by telling you things," Spease said. "Most often they will tell you the things they think you want to hear."

He went on to say that he will not start his campaign with a "laundry list of unachievable goals, or pandering slogans." Spease also took a jab at Davis, who had been a proponent of building a professional-grade soccer stadium in hopes of attracting a Major League Soccer team to Elk Grove.   

"I am not going to promise to get the [Oakland] Raiders to relocate to Elk Grove," Spease said to a raucous audience response. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, and I am not going to offer you a 35-point plan to build the next Disneyland here."

Spease added the city needed to "do things differently and get things done."

"That's why I am going to start my campaign by listening," he said. "That is what's missing in most elected officials today. Too many officials, just don't listen."

While Spease offered to listen to constituents and the business community, he did offer specific criticisms of some at least one proposed project and spoke about his general policy philosophy. Among the criticized projects was the proposed traffic roundabout on Sheldon Road. 

"I don't think spending an extra $2 million for a round-about that require the destruction of natural habitat is a good thing," he said.  

In an appeal to his supporters, Spease also acknowledged one of the realities of running a campaign in Elk Grove. Framing it as a communications need, Spease said financial help is needed to help spread his message in the community. 

"I don't have access to the politicians bank," he noted. "So I need concerned residents and businesses to help me find the resources to talk and listen to voters and find new ways to listen to their voice."

"I need your help to win," he added. "This is the start of the effort."    

The entire speech can be viewed on this Facebook link. 

Elk Grove Planning Commissioner and mayoral candidate

Kevin Spease (r) with supporter Mr. Safaraz. 

Former Elk Grove City Council member Sophia Scherman

and her husband Lee were among the 100-plus supporters

attending Kevin Spease's kick-off event.