In a few weeks, voters will have the opportunity for vote for their choice for Rocklin’s City Council, where seven candidates are vying for three seats for the Nov. 4 election.

Incumbent Peter Hill has been involved with the city of Rocklin for approximately 30 years and said he still wants to be a part of the decisions in order to reach the city’s goals.

Some of the goals Hill has for Rocklin are the continuation of balanced budgets, a safe community and resisting residential building.

“We’ve saved money in the good years; I want to continue that,” Hill said. “With the downturn in the economy, we have to be very careful in our spending.”

Hill was pleased that Rocklin received Family Circle Magazine’s distinction as one of the “10 Best Towns” in America.

“We have strived to make Rocklin a family community,” he said. “I was very pleased with that because it says we’re doing the right thing.”

Working with the schools, building another fire station and expanding the police and fire departments to have paramedics on each response, are continued goals for Hill.

He said he’s opposed to expanding the city’s boundaries and was included in the planning of the General Plan for the city.

“I have a pretty deep background in planning, all facets of planning,” Hill said.

Peter Hill

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired regional planner

Education: Sierra College, bachelor’s in economics from Sacramento State, master’s in new communities from the University of Northern Colorado

Experience: Retired regional planner, vice-mayor, former planning commissioner and former school board member

Click here to see Peter Hill at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

Peter Hill

George Magnuson has served as a city council member for 17 years and said he’d like to continue the work he’s started.

“I’d like to continue on with the tasks of fiscal management,” he said, and “I’d like to continue along with the General Plan we have.”

Magnuson said there’s a reason why Rocklin was voted one of the “10 Best Towns” in America by Family Circle Magazine – the school system, parks and safety.

“It’s a nice community. It’s a safe place to live, we have one of the lowest crime rates in the region,” he said.

Magnuson said he’d also like to make room for youth in the community, but admits the economy will be an issue.

“Economic challenges are going to be major,” he said.

Magnuson said he has his own perspective, which sets him apart from other candidates.

“I have my own way of looking at things,” he said.

Click here to see George Magnuson at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

George Magnuson

George A. Magnuson

Age: 58

Occupation: Housing representative for the state

Education: AA in law enforcement from Sierra College

Experience: Incumbent for 17 years, was mayor four times and worked with regional waste management authority for 15 years

David Nelson

Age: 27

Occupation: Former small business owner in Rocklin

Education: Associate degree in liberal arts from Sierra College

Experience: Three years with the state assembly as a field representative, served as trustee on the Sierra College board from 2005-06, owned a small business in Rocklin from 2006-08, was a government affairs committee member for Rocklin’s Chamber of Commerce and ambassador for the committee and served as a pastor for Adventure Christian Church in Rocklin

David Nelson said there’s a lot to be said for time and wisdom, but also for a new voice.

“I really, really believe it’s time for fresh ideas and visions,” Nelson said. “It’s time for a new leader to sit on the council who will initiate new change.”

One of Nelson’s priorities for Rocklin is economic development, specifically downtown redevelopment.

“We must put a concerted economic development plan in place,” he said.

One way Nelson hopes to initiate the development is through marketing – recruiting new and small businesses to fill vacant spaces. The city needs to be aggressive to fill the space, Nelson said.

Another issue Nelson hopes to address is Rocklin’s city limits.

“The biggest issue is we’re out of space. We’re landlocked. We have to make the best with what we have,” he said.

Nelson said one idea to attract business is to become a destination spot – not just a place where residents live and sleep, but where they eat and play, he said.

“I generally want to see the city better,” he said.

Click here to see David Nelson at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

David Nelson

Ed Rowen

Age: 45

Occupation: Owner of Braveheart Communications in Rocklin

Education: Political science degree from San Jose State

Experience: Member of the Placer County Republican Central Committee, student trustee to the West Valley/Mission College District board of trustees, chairman of Santa Clara Citizens Advisory Committee and interned in Washington D.C. and Sacramento

Ed Rowen said he’s always been active in the communities he’s lived.

“I have a commitment to the community. I want to give back to the community,” he said.

Rowen said what sets him apart as a candidate is that he’s willing to fight for what people want and need and said getting people involved is the most important thing for a community.

His number one goal is accessability to what is going on in the community, which he said can be accomplished by expanding the city Web site and cable pod casts. He said he’d also like to see a second skate park built in Rocklin and the library finished.

“When we commit to things in Rocklin, let’s get it done,” he said.

He also believes downtown Rocklin is an issue and would like to see a downtown brought to Rocklin by forming a partnership with the business community.

Part of what makes Rowen relatable, he said, is that he’s like many of Rocklin’s residents.

“I’m a homeowner, I’m a taxpayer. I’m the most typical person in Rocklin.”

Click here to see Ed Rowen at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

Ed Rowen

Brett Storey

Age: 48

Occupation: Senior management analyst for the Placer County CEO office

Education: Bachelor’s of science from Chico State in business administration and USC systems engineering

Experience: Businessman, served two terms on the school board and two terms on the city council

Completing his second term, Mayor Brett Storey said he wants to continue to set up the city for the future and would like to see Rocklin become fiscally stable for a very long time.

Storey said that his balanced decision-making skills stem from leaving emotion out.

“I look at things as an analysis. I look at the pros and cons,” he said.

Some of Storey’s goals are to maintain public safety and continue to work to conserve energy, open space and reduce waste.

A significant reduction in revenues is a major issue for Rocklin, Storey said.

“We’re seeing businesses go under that we never thought we would,” he said.

Storey said that the city has done a good job keeping the city and parks safe, but would like to see a continuous plan for road repaving. He said he’d also like to see more positive information reaching out to the community.

Click here to see Brett Storey at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

Brett Storey

Angela Torrens

Age: 52

Occupation: District representative for the Department of Housing and Development

Education: Undergraduate work from Occidental College in English and political science

Experience: Part time teacher, involved in community through the role as president of neighborhood association and transportation advocate

Angela Torrens said Rocklin is at a junction with its growth. The economy is changing and Torrens wants to refocus energy onto the city.

Torrens said she wants to address the concentration of retail and high vacancy rates, ideas to bring jobs to the area and the promotion of smart planning.

“Planning has to be very, very careful,” she said.

Torrens said she has “very strong support for small business owners” and would like to see a vibrant city center in Rocklin with art, music and retail.

“Rocklin must be a destination point,” she said.

Some of Torrens’ goals include a revised General Plan – a plan that answers questions regarding open space and the revitalization of downtown, creates transportation options, alternative energy and green building.

Some of the challenges Torrens sees is the immediate need to handle the effects of the local economy.

“We need people who are going to live in the city and work in the city,” she said. “We can become a world-class city.”

Click here to see Angela Torrens at the Rocklin Chamber Forum

Angela Torrens

Tiffany L. Wadell

Age: 32

Occupation: Small business owner

Education: Bachelor’s in marketing from University of Phoenix

Experience: Business owner, parent and volunteer

Tiffany Wadell said that by having a local business in the community, she knows the importance in helping the local business owners.

“I’ve been concerned with the community and the vacancies in the city,” she said.

Some of Wadell’s goals would be to help increase wages for city workers, drive business into the existing space instead of continuing to build and utilizing existing space.

She said the city “needs fresh ideas, a fresh approach.”

“It’s time for change,” she said.

Wadell admitted there are a lot of good things in the city, but said the current members’ length on council is a challenge.

Wadell said her primary goals are “making sure local businesses get the support they need” and becoming more involved in the community.