With the November election now less than three months away, the filing deadline to run for the Rocklin City Council and other county elected positions is over.

In addition to the three incumbent council members, four others have successfully qualified for the ballot, according to the Placer County Clerk-Recorder’s office.

This week the Placer Herald will take a brief look at each candidate, asking what motivates each and what each one hopes to accomplish if elected or re-elected.

Mayor Brett Storey:

“This is my form of community service. I take it seriously,” Storey said. “I’ve adopted Rocklin as my hometown.”

Storey says that a strong business sector will give the city a tax base that allows the city to continue to provide the services that make it a high quality community.

“I’d like the opportunity to finish the things we have started,” Storey said, adding that he welcomes challengers who are interested in public office saying it indicates a strong interest in community service in Rocklin.

Vice Mayor Peter Hill:

“I have worked hard for many years to make Rocklin a high quality, family oriented community,” Hill said. “My main objective as a council member will be to protect the quality of life we have in Rocklin and seek ways to make improvements.”

Hill said his top priority would be public safety and emergency response. “Rocklin is one of the safest communities in the Sacramento Region. The continued safety of residents and the security of our neighborhoods are vital. I will continue to support expansion of our police and fire departments.”

Councilmember George Magnuson:

“I’m interested in what happens here. I care about what happens here. I want to make sure it continues to be a nice place to live,” Magnuson said.

A community volunteer in many different capacities for more than 30 years, Magnuson said one of his top priorities is downtown development.

“I think we’re going to get some development downtown as well as some other business infill,” he said, noting that some development downtown is already slated in the near term.

Rocklin resident and business owner Tiffany Wadell:

“My message is ‘Support your local…’ which means supporting the local businesses, schools & neighborhoods. This is our city and the only way we will make it through this economic hardship is to invest in our city,” Wadell said.

Although Wadell says the city has done a “good job,” she believes that there is room for improvement especially where commercial real estate is concerned.

Wadell asks, “Why did the city allow more commercial space to be built if there were vacancies in the already existing centers? Why didn’t we spend the money for re-vitalizing the older looking centers?”

Rocklin resident Ed Rowen:

“I want to serve the community. It sounds corny, but I believe when you live in a community, you should serve it,” Rowen said.

If elected, Rowen lists among his priorities an effort to make city government more accessible.

“I’d like to see the City Council meetings televised. “Then we could sit down as a family and see what’s going on in our community,” he said.

Rowen maintains a “middle of the road” vision for the future of Rocklin. “I know there has to be growth, but I’d like to see us preserve our history.”

Rocklin resident and business owner David Nelson:

“I believe that it’s time for a change (in city council),” Rowen said, adding that downtown revitalization and a balanced budget are among his top priorities.

“It doesn’t take 20 years to rebuild a downtown,” he said.

Nelson points to his experience serving on a number of boards including Sierra College Board and the Government Affairs Board for the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rocklin resident Angela Torrens:

An advocate for “small business, new technologies and retaining jobs locally for young professionals,” Torrens calls herself a “candidate for change.”

“I want (the city council) to be able to respond to the needs of the citizens,” she said. “From what I have been hearing - I am answering a call from the community.’

Torrens has experience as a community volunteer and has served on local, regional and county transportation boards.

“I want to see a re-vitalized downtown that provides a sense of a city center,” she said.

New to the political scene in Rocklin is the Rocklin Citizens for Council Change (RCCC), a Political Action Committee committed to change in the city council.

RCCC Chairman Tony Rakocija said, “This is the year for change. Rocklin needs new and creative leadership – the challenges and complexities the city faces demand fresh and proactive governance. We want every Rocklin resident to know our desire for change at City Hall.”

The RCCC has endorsed Torrens and Nelson, although it is has not ruled out endorsing the other two challengers.