By admin 
Three seats are up for grabs on Placerville’s five-member, at-large City Council, with only one incumbent seeking reelection.
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Seven candidates will vie for the open seats, including incumbent John Clerici, information technology manager Sean Briggs, financial technology project manager Evan Quirk, productivity analyst Spencer Stevenson and small-business owners Terri Carr, Dennis Thomas and Tony Windle.
Balancing the city’s budget, protecting its historic Main Street and managing economic growth have emerged as key issues in the race.
Where is the district?
Placerville, the El Dorado County seat, is in the Sierra foothills about 40 miles east of Sacramento. With about 10,700 residents, it is the county’s second-largest incorporated city behind South Lake Tahoe. The city council is an at-large district, meaning anyone living in the city is eligible to serve.
Who are the candidates?
John Clerici, the incumbent, said he would focus on addressing the city’s budget problems if reelected.
He pointed to flat revenues and rising costs as sources of the city’s budget challenges.
“I can tell you that there is some special sauce that will fix all our budget problems, but that would be lying,” he said. “The folks that will tell you that don’t understand the challenges they will face if they get on the council.”
Clerici pointed to his prior experience on the council as evidence of his ability to lead the city and said his “pragmatic” leadership would help guide Placerville through its financial challenges.
Sean Briggs works in information technology management and grew up in El Dorado County, according to his candidate statement. He has also been involved with community groups, including volunteering with the Girl Scouts and 4-H and coaching soccer.
Briggs said he aims to protect the city’s tourism industry and historic character. He proposed hosting community events that would engage participants and boost local businesses. If elected, he said he would focus on ensuring that water and sewer costs do not increase for residents.
“I want to serve as a conduit for the public concerns on the City Council and bring some much needed transparency to our local government,” he said.
Terri Carr is the owner of Clifton and Warren Feed and has lived and worked in Placerville for more than 30 years.
In a candidate statement, Carr said her experience as a small-business owner had prepared her for a role on the City Council. “I have navigated changing regulations, economic shifts and small business community needs,” she said in the statement.
Carr said she would offer steady, common-sense decision-making “that directly reflects the realities of the people who live and work in the City of Placerville.” Her goals included supporting economic growth and city services while preserving the community’s character.
“My goal is to bring the perspective of long-time residents and small business owners into full scope, so as to generate growth, services and build the character of our community,” she said in the candidate statement.
Evan Quirk is a financial technology project manager at national law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani. That professional experience, he said in his candidate statement, has prepared him for the responsibilities of the city council, including balancing budgets, evaluating priorities, building consensus and delivering results while remaining accountable.
Quirk said he will focus on preserving the city’s character and history while supporting economic growth. If elected, he would work on improving city services and “ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.”
Another project Quirk said he would like to tackle is a community cultural center, and the continued revitalization of Historic Main Street. He said he envisioned the area as “a vibrant destination where residents, artists, businesses and visitors can gather, celebrate our heritage and strengthen our local economy.”
“I am committed to serving with integrity, listening to our community and bringing a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to every decision for Placerville’s future together,” he said.
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Spencer Stevenson is a productivity analyst for a municipal utility, and said in his candidate statement that he had “spent years untangling inefficient processes and bureaucratic red tape.” He said those skills would also serve Placerville.
Stevenson said that, if elected, he would focus on supporting business owners and developing Main Street into a community hub with regular events.
He proposed building protected bike lanes and walkways so residents could reach groceries, restaurants and other businesses in Placerville without contending with traffic.
He also said he planned to create opportunities for young people to stay and work in Placerville.
“Keeping young people here,” he said, “means keeping their energy and their ideas in our local economy, strengthening the community we’re building together.”
Dennis Thomas has worked on Placerville’s Main Street for 43 years and has owned and operated Robinson Pharmacy for 25 years, according to his candidate statement.
He previously served on the Placerville City Council from 2018 to 2022, including as mayor in 2021. He has also served on the city’s Planning Commission and as president of the Placerville Downtown Association.
Thomas said in his statement that he is “committed to managing Placerville’s budget prudently.” He also said he supports police officers and public safety. His platform includes maintaining roads, water and sewer systems.
“I’ll bring the same steady, practical commitment to Placerville that I’ve brought to my business and my community for over four decades,” he said.
Tony Windle is the owner of T.W. Bonkers: Toy & Candy Emporium on Main Street. Windle said in his campaign statement that he opened the shop 10 years ago, after working as a corporate account manager in the music industry for more than two decades.
If elected, Windle would “preserve our history while embracing practical innovation to keep Placerville the special place we all call home,” according to his campaign statement.
Windle emphasized his previous work in the community. He is currently the chair of the Placerville Economic Advisory Committee and funds a scholarship to SugarLoaf Fine Arts Camp, the statement said.
Other goals included strengthening public safety, maintaining neighborhoods and roads, supporting local businesses and ensuring that the city’s budget is handled responsibly.
Who is funding the race?
Evan Quirk received a $1,000 contribution from Friends of Historic Placerville, according to campaign finance records.
The other candidates had not filed campaign finance reports showing contributions as of Sept. 30.
Who else is supporting the candidates?
Both Briggs and Carr have been endorsed by the El Dorado County Republican Party.
Briggs, Carr and Thomas have been endorsed by Reform California, a conservative political group that advocates for lower taxes and government accountability.
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