From his office on the seventh floor of the Forum Building on 9th Street near the State Capitol, Mayor Christopher Cabaldon has a huge view of his city: West Sacramento.

One of his goals for West Sacramento is to rebuild the main street by widening it and narrowing the sidewalks, to decrease the number of loiterers and to increase the number of businesses. The Sacramento State alumnus also spoke about revitalizing lofts and creating more of a people-friendly area.

Cabaldon said he values and understands the need for a good education. He said one of his other goals is to build up the schools, so parents will feel safe having their children in the area.

While he has been in office since 1998, Cabaldon said West Sacramento changed from being a seedy town with prostitution and multiple gangs to becoming a place where parents can feel relatively safe to walk with their children in the evening. He credits more neighborhood awareness and business prosperity for the safe feeling.

Despite working to get more businesses in the area, Cabaldon faces some crime statistics which have not changed in the past several years.

According to the West Sacramento Police Department’s website, in 2001 there were 50 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants and 590 cases of larceny, which the website defines as “the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property.” Two cases of homicide and 66 reported cases of robbery were reported that year.

According to the website, in 2005 about 45 crimes occurred per 1,000 inhabitants for the city and 480 reported cases of larceny. The rate of homicides remained the same, while reported robberies moved down to 60 cases.

Cabaldon acknowledged that the statistics will not go down immediately. He hopes that with more businesses, more eyes will be watching the streets and eventually, the crime will go down.

On April 22, President Bush visited the city to talk about Earth Day and the importance of finding alternative fuel sources.

Cabaldon said the president’s visit is an example of how West Sacramento has grown.

“Politics aside, it is a credit how this small town has grown,” Cabaldon said. “West Sacramento is a window to the future.”

Another example of how West Sacramento has grown is the construction of Raley Field on South River Road and Highway 50.

In 2000, he commissioned the $40 million construction of the baseball field, which is home to Sacramento’s minor league baseball team, the Rivercats.

Cabaldon credits his two degrees to shape his approach to problems and proposals. He received his bachelor’s degree in environmental economics from UC Berkeley and his master’s degree from Sacramento State.

In March, Mayor Cabaldon revealed to the public that he is gay.

He commented how America’s position on homosexuality is one of “the remaining social divides of the country and the region.”

“West Sacramento has evolved in its attitude towards homosexuality,” Cabaldon said.

He said his coming out about his sexual orientation is more of a confidence of faith with his constituents. He said the people he works with know his credentials and job performance.

Cabaldon worked in the California Legislature while earning his master’s degree. He was also one of the founders of the student association of the Public Policy and Administration program.

He had been on the higher education committee while he worked in the California Legislature.

After graduating from Sac State, he also was an adjunct faculty member for the graduate program. Cabaldon said at this point, the program does not need an additional faculty member, but he would be available if he is needed.

“Sac State blends high-quality graduate programs with working students,” Cabaldon said.

In 2002, he was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Alumni Association.

“It was a great honor,” he said. “I am very proud of the public policy program and the campus.”

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]