Farewell from City Manager Maraskeshia Smith
As I prepare to conclude my time as your city manager, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. It has been an honor to work alongside dedicated staff, engaged residents, and thriving businesses to strengthen our city.
From the beginning, my vision was to create a "people first" organization—one where we care for each other, foster growth, and strive for continuous development. I wanted to ensure that quality of life remained at the heart of our mission and that Santa Rosa was a place where every voice could be heard. Throughout my tenure, I made it a priority to listen to your feedback: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Together, we have upheld high-quality public services through innovation and teamwork.
While we have faced significant budget challenges, I am proud to leave the city with a healthy fund balance that will allow essential services to continue. These accomplishments are a testament to the resilience and dedication of our city staff and all our community partners.
I encourage each of you to remain active participants in the governance process. Support your public employees and continue to invest personally in the well-being of Santa Rosa. Your involvement and commitment are what make this city vibrant and strong.
Thank you for your trust and collaboration over the years. It has truly been a privilege to serve you, and I look forward to watching Santa Rosa continue to thrive.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Your City Manager
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Standing in Solidarity with Our Jewish Community
The terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia, is a stark reminder of how hate can manifest into senseless violence, which can have a ripple effect of fear in our local community. Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan has reached out to the leaders in our Jewish community to express support and commitment to keeping our community safe, and police officers will be providing extra patrols at local Jewish synagogues, community centers, and schools. Earlier this week, Mayor Mark Stapp and the Santa Rosa Police Department showed up to demonstrate this support to ensure the local Jewish community felt safe to worship as Rabbi Mendel Wolvovsky, from the Sonoma County Chabad Jewish Center, lit the menorah at the Hanukkah ceremony at the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. Please call 911 if you see anything suspicious near any of our Jewish synagogues or community centers. If you see something, say something. Together, we are all stronger, Santa Rosa.
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