JEFFREY M. STARSKY
Jeffrey Starsky is a 23-year resident of Folsom and currently serves his city as a Folsom City Council Member, having been elected in 2000. He represented the City as its Mayor in 2001-2002. Jeff has spent his entire term as Folsom’s representative to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, the agency responsible for the Sacramento region's compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act. Jeff served as Chairman of the SMAQMD from 2006-2007. He is also the City’s representative on the Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet, a multi-jurisdictional forum dealing with law enforcement issues.
While serving as the City’s Mayor, Jeff testified before the United States Congress several times on behalf of the residents of Folsom in support of the federal legislation authorizing the construction of a new bridge below the Folsom Dam. The legislation was approved by the Congress and signed by the President and the new bridge construction should be complete by Spring of next year. Jeff also represented the City of Folsom before many regional elected officials in Washington D.C. in an effort to secure federal funding for projects in Folsom. During his eight year term, Jeff’s efforts secured over $90 million in federal funding for the City of Folsom.
Jeff’s primary goal for the City when he was first elected was to improve the quality and level of service of public safety in the City. When he started eight years ago, both the police and fire departments were severely under funded and service to the residents was sub-par. During his term, Jeff was involved in hiring the first professional police chief, Sam Spiegel, and devoted significant time and resources to nearly doubled the size of the Folsom Police Department, adding 57 police officers and support personnel. The Folsom Police Department is probably now one of the best departments in Northern California, if not the entire state. Jeff remains committed to maintain Folsom PD has a very high priority.
Likewise, Folsom’s fire department lacked adequate resources when Jeff arrived on the scene in 2000. Through his efforts, the Department has added 26 fire personnel and improved response times to serve Folsom residents much more effectively. The Folsom Fire Department is now a top notch professional fire service which is regarded very highly by the residents of the City.
Jeff was responsible for much of the current success of the City of Folsom from an economic development standpoint. He, along with the City Manager, created a long-term strategic plan for the City in 2002. He has served as a Board member for the Folsom Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the City and was personally involved in bringing several businesses including Trader Joes, Mervyn’s, Circuit City, Costco and numerous other businesses to Folsom. Jeff was also able to convince the organizers of the only California full distance triathlon, the “CaliforniaMan”, to hold their event in Folsom resulting in significant revenues to local businesses. Jeff believes that a strong business base in the community provides the revenues for cities to fund the public benefits such as parks as well as keeping the public safe by maintaining a strong police and fire presence. Jeff also worked diligently to secure the commitment of Kaiser Permanente to build a hospital facility in Folsom in the coming years, resulting in the addition of some 3000 jobs.
Jeff is also very involved in with the youth of Folsom. During his term, Jeff has conducted over 14 “mock” city council meetings with students from nearly every school within the City. Jeff worked with the Folsom High School on the project and some 180 students participated in the program that allows students to act as council members, staff and the public to simulate issues facing local government. Jeff believes that every student should have some involvement with government and their community since they will be the future city council persons, senators and congressman.
In is his non-public life, Jeff is an attorney and has practiced corporate law and litigation for the past 20 years. He also serves as the government affairs consultant for numerous California businesses and is actively involved in legislation before the California Senate and Assembly. Jeff also serves on the Board of Director’s of several companies.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1983 and earned his Juris Doctor degree with honors from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He is an admitted and qualified member of the California Supreme Court, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern District as well as the United States Supreme Court.
Jeff is an avid golfer and bicyclist, but his favorite activity is spending time with his wife, Pam and his 17 year old daughter, Jessica.
Want to contribute to Jeff’s 2008 City Council Campaign?
Please Send checks to : Starsky for Folsom City Council
1756 Lake Vista Way
Folsom, CA 95630
