About 20 residents gathered at the Frontier Senior Center in Anderson on Thursday for a candidate forum hosted by the Redding League of Women Voters. Former council member and mayoral hopeful Stan Neutze and Sikh Centre director Amarjit Singh were the only two of the three declared candidates to attend.
Budget stewardship and public‑safety focus
Neutze, who served on the council for eight years beginning in 2016, said his top priority is tightening the city’s finances. “I’m, you know, very good at looking at budgets and finding out ways where we can save money and just make sure we simply don’t go out and do something that we really don’t need to do,” he told the audience.
He also emphasized public safety and economic development, noting that state‑mandated housing plans should be revisited to reflect Anderson’s current needs.
Singh, a community organizer, focused on the Anderson Police Department’s aging building. He said the department either needs a major renovation or a relocation to a more suitable facility. “Every aspect of public safety is not just related to law enforcement,” Singh said. “We need to make things secure to help the public, to help the community and the citizens of Anderson.”
Flock Safety cameras and data‑center proposals
When asked about the controversial Flock Safety cameras, Neutze took a cautiously positive stance, citing their usefulness in reducing car theft. He warned that misuse must be met with accountability, adding, “If someone misuses it, then they should be fired from their job, or they should be fined.”
Singh, however, said he would first listen to community sentiment before forming a position, describing a council member’s role as “a bridge” between government and residents.
Both candidates were queried about a proposed data center in Anderson. Singh said he would follow the community’s preference. Neutze agreed that the council should evaluate the overall impact and defer to residents if the project is deemed problematic.
Preserving Anderson’s rural character while encouraging growth
An audience member asked how the city could retain its agricultural lifestyle amid development pressures. Singh acknowledged the importance of revenue for infrastructure, public safety and community spaces, but stressed the need for balance. He suggested that intentional engineering and careful selection of businesses could protect the rural feel.
Neutze highlighted the Williamson Act, which allows local governments to contract with private landowners to keep parcels in agricultural or open‑space use. He urged the council to consider preserving farmland while still allowing responsible development.
Community engagement and additional priorities
Singh pointed to his work with Front Porch Shasta, a volunteer initiative recruited by Shasta County Supervisor Matt Plummer, as evidence of his experience in community outreach. He emphasized the importance of respecting differences in politics, religion and culture, noting, “We always have differences, but we need to teach and learn how to respect differences.”
Neutze referenced existing programs such as National Night Out and Trunk or Treat but did not propose new engagement initiatives.
Both candidates also shared other goals. Neutze wants more single‑family homes and better park maintenance. Singh hopes to improve mental‑health resources and add cooling centers for residents during extreme heat.
Closing remarks and election details
Singh used his closing remarks to correct misinformation about his faith, clarifying that he is Sikh, not Muslim, and that he became a U.S. citizen during President Donald Trump’s first term. “I’m proud of being American,” he said.
Neutze closed by emphasizing his experience and calling Anderson “one of the gems of the North State,” urging voters to keep a council with “honor, integrity and character.”
The Anderson city council election is set for Nov. 3. Vote‑by‑mail ballots will be mailed 29 days before the election.
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
