It’s official Folsom—I am now your Sacramento County District 4 Supervisor! Words can hardly express how honored and grateful I feel to have the opportunity to serve our community. When I decided to run for Supervisor, I didn’t begin by reaching out to super-PACs or big donors. Instead, I focused on connecting with real people throughout Folsom and the rest of District 4.
I visited neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and community events to listen directly to your challenges, hopes, and priorities. These conversations shaped my campaign and will continue to guide me in office. To me, representation means amplifying the voices of the people, and that starts with truly listening. As I step into this role, I want to share my top five immediate priorities for District 4—priorities rooted in the values and concerns you’ve shared with me.
1. Addressing Homelessness with Real Solutions: Homelessness has touched nearly every corner of our district, from businesses to schools and neighborhoods. The current situation is unacceptable. We need a comprehensive approach that not only addresses the immediate effects on our community but also provides meaningful services to help individuals break free from the cycle of homelessness. This includes funding programs that target root causes like substance abuse and mental health issues, expanding access to supportive housing, and partnering with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and local governments to create innovative solutions. The time for empty promises is over—it’s time to take action.
2. Fighting Crime and Keeping Our Communities Safe: Public safety is essential to any thriving community. As your Supervisor, I will focus on fighting crime and ensuring our neighborhoods are safe places to live, work, and raise families. I will support our District Attorney and Sheriff in cracking down on crime and holding offenders accountable, while also advocating for programs that build trust between law enforcement and the community. Collaboration is key to creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.
3. Improving Roads and Transportation: If you’ve driven through District 4, you know how desperately our roads and highways need attention. From potholes to gridlock, our transportation infrastructure has been neglected for far too long. I’ll prioritize securing funding to repair and improve our roads and advocate for major projects like completing the Capitol Connector to ease congestion along Highway 50. These improvements will enhance daily life for residents and attract businesses and investors to our region.
4. Supporting Local Businesses and Job Creation: Thriving businesses are the backbone of thriving communities. I’m committed to making it easier for businesses in our district to succeed by cutting red tape, streamlining regulations, and providing the support they need to grow and create jobs. Whether it’s a small, family-run business or a larger enterprise, my goal is to foster an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, employees feel valued, and opportunities are abundant.
5. Engaging with the Community: I believe government works best when it is transparent, accountable, and inclusive. That’s why I’m committed to staying connected with you through newsletters, community meetings, and surveys. Your input will shape our decisions and ensure we’re addressing the issues that matter most. We’ll continue the tradition of quarterly community meetings, with updates to encourage participation and collaboration. Additionally, we’re forming citizen advisory committees to focus on pressing issues like homelessness, public safety, and transportation. If you’re interested, please join us—we want your voice at the table.
Thank you again for trusting me with this responsibility. I’m excited to get to work and make a real difference for our community. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can call my office at 916-874-5491 or email me at SupervisorRodriguez@saccounty.gov. I look forward to working with you to make District 4 the best it can be. Let’s get started!
Rosario Rodriguez authored this community commentary. Rodriguez is the Sacramento County District 4 Supervisor, which includes the communities of Folsom, Citrus Heights Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms, and Fair Oaks.
