In Leticia Hilbert’s view, family bonds need to be strengthened in Sacramento's District 5 communities.

An Oak Park resident, Hilbert is one of five candidates for Lauren Hammond’s District 5 City Council seat. Hammond is running for Assemblyman Dave Jones’ seat.

The Sacramento Press is interviewing City Council candidates in advance of the June 8 election.

District 5 neighborhoods include Oak Park, Curtis Park, Tahoe Park West and Colonial Heights.

Better-functioning families would improve the neighborhoods, Hilbert said.

“If the family is stable — if they’re not being threatened by losing their houses, and they’re able to have jobs and prosper ... and be together — then we’ll grow.”

Hilbert, 48, is a senior bank teller for Bank of America. She has lived in Sacramento for nine years and teaches religion to adults through her church.

“As a mother and a wife, I think that (it) is important to conserve the family values,” she said. “What I’ve seen happening now in society is that our family values are disappearing.”

Hilbert noted that Oak Park has a host of social problems, including prostitution and garbage in public places.

“There’s a lot of promise to change, to invest in the area, but nothing really happens,” she said.

If elected to the City Council, Hilbert said she would solve neighborhoods' basic problems.

Hilbert acknowledged that she is not involved in any neighborhood associations, but said that she has visited most of the associations that responded to her request to visit them.

Youth programs would be another of her City Council priorities, Hilbert said. Calling young people “too self-centered,” she said they need to get involved in community activities such as helping seniors and other youngsters and participate in internships.

“And with this, we’ll prevent drugs, we’ll prevent drop outs of school (and) we’ll prevent crime,” she said, “because they’ll be busy.”

Hilbert said she also would emphasize small businesses if elected, working to encourage businesses along District 5 corridors such as Franklin Boulevard, Stockton Boulevard and Florin Road. It’s important for neighbors to participate in discussions about ideas for businesses, she added.

Hilbert said she would pay attention to people as a councilwoman.

“The main thing I want to focus on is to stress the dignity of the human person. And if we don’t start from that value, we’ll continue having too much difference between neighborhoods.”

Hilbert’s campaign filed a May 3 form with the city stating she has raised more than $1,000 in campaign contributions.

Patrick Kennedy is the top fund raiser in the District 5 race, with $109,684 in campaign funds, according to March campaign records. Jay Schenirer had raised $82,712 by mid-March, while Terrence Johnson had $9,430 in his campaign. Henry Harry had raised $808, according to campaign statements.

The next round of filings, which will include information on contributions from March 18 to May 22, is due later this month, said Assistant City Clerk Stephanie Mizuno.

District 1:
Information about Angelique Ashby’s campaign can be read here.
Read about Efren Guttierrez’ campaign here.

District 3:
Shawn Eldredge’s goals are explained here.
Chris Little’s plans are outlined here.
Jeff Rainforth is profiled here. 

District 5:
Read about Henry Harry’s campaign here.
A story on Terrence Johnson’s campaign can be read here.
Learn about Patrick Kennedy’s plans here.
Jay Schenirer’s goals are explored here.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.