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Lee Miller (California)
Lee Miller ran for election to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District to represent Division 4 in California. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Miller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Sacramento County, California (2024)
General election
General election for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Division 4
Incumbent Ted Wood defeated Lee Miller in the general election for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Division 4 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ted Wood (Nonpartisan)  | 70.6 | 18,726 |
| Lee Miller (Nonpartisan) | 29.4 | 7,800 | ||
| Total votes: 26,526 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
To view Miller's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Miller in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Lee Miller completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Miller's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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After moving to Sacramento in 1980, she attended the protests that led to the shutdown of the Rancho Seco nuclear power plant. During the 1990s, she joined Grandmothers for Peace, protesting at Aerojet in Sacramento.
Lee retired from Intel Corporation in 2015 and became involved with the Solar Rights Alliance in 2019, helping to block a proposed Grid Access Fee by SMUD.
As a CADEM Assembly Delegate in AD10, she organized over 250 people statewide to protect the right to solar energy.
Lee’s commitment to her community is unwavering. She founded Residents Against Illegal Fireworks, leading to a county-wide ordinance holding property owners accountable for illegal fireworks.
On a state level, the group is pushing for an Interstate Compact Agreement to stop the flow of illegal fireworks between California and Nevada.
In her role as a Personnel Commissioner for the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Lee represents union employees, ensuring fair and equitable practices.
She also secured funds for a Little Free Library at Pat O’Brien Community Center, set to open in September 2024.
Lee is running for Metro Fire Board, Division 4, to prioritize community safety and responsible leadership.
Lee lives in the unincorporated county with her husband.
Visit her website: https://www.lee4mfb.com/- Prioritizing Community Safety Over Politics: For too long, our fire protection has been overshadowed by mismanagement and misplaced priorities. Our current board member is more focused on revenue-generating activities for Metro Fire, than on safeguarding our communities, has failed to prioritize what truly matters—keeping us safe from fires.
This neglect has left our neighborhoods vulnerable, particularly in the unincorporated areas that rely so heavily on the Metro Fire District for protection.
Our fire district must stay focused on its core mission—protecting lives and property. I will bring dedication, accountability, and transparency to the board, ensuring every decision serves our community. - Metro Fire District is funded by your tax dollars, and you deserve accountability and transparency in how this money is spent. Unfortunately, the current leadership has misallocated funds towards excessive salaries and revenue-generating programs instead of prioritizing essential services. As your representative, I will ensure every dollar is spent wisely, conducting regular financial audits to highlight spending and identify areas for improvement. I will also champion public involvement in the budgeting process, ensuring your voice shapes how we allocate resources. My commitment is to prioritize our community's needs and ensure transparency and accountability in every decision.
- Measure O, on the November 5th ballot, proposes issuing $415 million in bonds for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. While this might seem like a solution, it could actually burden taxpayers with up to $890 million in debt, including interest. I urge you to vote “No” on Measure O. This measure reflects financial irresponsibility, with a history of uncontrolled spending and a lack of discipline. Instead of increasing taxpayer debt, we should explore state and federal grants and cut unnecessary expenses like excessive salaries. We need to manage resources effectively and prioritize critical fire services without unfairly impacting taxpayers.
I believe in managing public funds responsibly, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely on essential services rather than on excessive salaries or revenue-generating activities that don’t prioritize public safety.
I am committed to enhancing fire protection, especially in underserved and unincorporated areas that rely heavily on Metro Fire.
One significant area for improvement in public safety is Metro Fire's enforcement of Sacramento County's Illegal Fireworks social host ordinance.
There is a clear lack of prioritization and resources when it comes to enforcing the ordinance in the unincorporated county. Instead, Metro Fire prioritizes 4th of July public displays in the cities of Rancho Cordova and Citrus Heights.
The City of Sacramento and Elk Grove Fire Departments have successfully developed enforcement plans for their city's illegal fireworks social host ordinance. Both organizations actively enforce the ordinance for over a week during the 4th of July. This Fourth of July, 2024, they have issued fines totaling over $100,000 through citations. However, Metro Fire has not been as proactive. Metro Fire has stated that it is not its job to enforce the ordinance despite the fact that illegal fireworks pose a public safety issue.
What I admire most about Shirley Chisholm is her fearless advocacy for the marginalized and underrepresented. She entered the political arena at a time when the odds were overwhelmingly against her, yet she never backed down. Her campaign slogan, "Unbought and Unbossed," reflects her refusal to be swayed by special interests or to compromise her principles. She spoke truth to power and fought tirelessly for civil rights, women’s rights, and economic justice.
This book delves into the importance of competent and dedicated public service, the impact of government on everyday lives, and the consequences of neglecting critical public functions. It aligns with your values of accountability, transparency, and the need for leadership that prioritizes the community’s well-being over personal or political gain. It also touches on the importance of managing public resources wisely, which resonates with your focus on fiscal responsibility and equitable resource allocation.
Accountability is paramount; elected leaders must be transparent about how taxpayer dollars are spent and ensure that funds are directed toward essential services. Integrity is crucial, as officials must prioritize the community’s safety and well-being over personal income opportunities. Leaders should commit to fiscal responsibility, ensuring that public money is managed wisely and efficiently. This includes cutting unnecessary expenses, such as exorbitant salaries, and redirecting funds to where they are needed most—protecting the community.
An elected official must also demonstrate commitment to public safety. In the context of fire protection, this means focusing on fire prevention and ensuring that all areas, especially underserved and unincorporated regions, receive adequate services. Neglecting these responsibilities leaves communities vulnerable, and leadership that is distracted by outside income opportunities fails to safeguard the public.
Responsibility to the taxpayers is another critical principle. Before burdening the community with measures like bonds or increased taxes, officials should exhaust all alternative funding sources, such as state and federal grants. This approach prevents unnecessary financial strain on residents and ensures that the district's needs are met without overtaxing the community.
Community engagement is essential for responsible governance. Leaders must actively seek input from residents, involve them in decision-making processes, and ensure their voices are heard. This engagement fosters trust and ensures that policies reflect the community’s true needs and priorities.
Fiscal responsibility is another key duty. Board members must ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and effectively. This includes setting budgets, monitoring expenditures, and directing funds towards essential services like fire prevention, firefighter training, and necessary equipment. Avoiding unnecessary expenses, such as excessive salaries, is critical to maintaining financial integrity.
Accountability and transparency are also fundamental. Board members must be open in their decision-making processes and accountable to the public. Regular updates on the district’s operations, finances, and strategic plans should be provided, keeping the community informed and involved in the governance process.
Engaging with the community is another vital responsibility. Community engagement means actively seeking input, addressing concerns, and involving residents in decisions that impact their safety and financial interests. This includes holding public meetings and ensuring that the community’s voice is central to board decisions.
Board members must also focus on strategic planning. Setting long-term goals and strategies for the fire district is essential. This involves planning for future growth, enhancing fire prevention programs, and preparing for emerging challenges like wildfires or other natural disasters.
Ensuring that resources are distributed fairly across the district is another critical duty. Equitable resource allocation requires addressing disparities and making sure that all areas, especially underserved and unincorporated regions, receive adequate fire protection services.
Leadership, as she demonstrated, is not about seeking power, but about using one’s position to uplift others and create meaningful change. Her courage in standing up for her beliefs, even in the face of opposition, inspires me to be bold in my advocacy for my community. Whether it’s fighting for environmental justice, supporting workers’ rights, or ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard, I believe that every action can contribute to a larger movement for positive change.
Chisholm’s principle of being “unbought and unbossed” resonates deeply with me. It reminds me to stay true to my values, resist conformity, and prioritize the needs of the people I serve over personal gain. In my role as an advocate, I am committed to maintaining integrity and ensuring that my actions are guided by fairness, equity, and justice.
Chisholm’s example also highlights the importance of inclusivity and fighting for those often left out of the conversation. She was a tireless advocate for civil rights, women’s rights, and economic justice. In my work, I strive to create spaces where everyone’s voice can be heard and to champion policies that promote equity and inclusion.
As I continue my journey in public service, I am inspired by Shirley Chisholm’s legacy. Her life shows the difference one person can make when driven by a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to justice. I am dedicated to honoring her legacy by working tirelessly to create a more just and equitable world.
I remember sitting in front of the TV, my eyes glued to the black-and-white screen. It was a typical afternoon until the usual shows were suddenly interrupted by a somber announcement. The news anchor’s voice trembled as he relayed the unimaginable: President Kennedy had been shot.
As a child, I was full of innocence, but in that moment, the world suddenly seemed much darker. I felt a wave of emotions that were too big for me to fully understand. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to grasp how something so terrible could happen. How could anyone harm the man who seemed to symbolize hope and the promise of a brighter future?
I cried, not just from the shock, but because, even at such a young age, I understood that the world had changed in that moment. The man who had inspired so many with his words and actions was gone, and it felt as though a piece of my childhood had been taken away too.
Unwavering in my determination to pursue practical skills, I opted for work experience to save money for college, ultimately landing a position as an endorsement typist at an Insurance Company in the San Fernando Valley.
One of the most compelling aspects of "I, Robot" is Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, which dictate that robots must not harm humans, must obey human commands (unless they conflict with the first law), and must protect their own existence (as long as this doesn't conflict with the first two laws). These laws are meant to ensure that robots act in the best interests of humans, highlighting a fundamental principle that I hold dear: the responsibility to protect and uplift others.
A key theme in the novel is the importance of empathy and understanding others, even when they are vastly different from oneself. In my work and personal life, I strive to understand and advocate for others, showing empathy and care in situations that may be difficult or complex.
For me, these words echo the profound impact of being truly seen and understood by another person, something that I craved deeply after growing up in a chaotic and dysfunctional family.
What makes "In Your Eyes" particularly powerful for me is how it reflects the journey of healing and self-discovery. The lyrics suggest that in the eyes of someone who truly loves us, we can find the strength to confront our deepest fears and insecurities. This idea has been a guiding light for me, especially as I worked through the guilt and self-doubt that stemmed from my upbringing.
Our home was a battlefield of emotions, where love was scarce and chaos was constant. As the oldest child, I often felt invisible, lost in the whirlwind of addiction and neglect that defined our family life. I carried a deep sense of guilt, as if somehow, I was responsible for the brokenness around me. I grew up questioning my own worth, feeling like a burden rather than a blessing.
My sister’s addiction was a black hole, sucking the life out of our family. There were nights filled with screaming, desperate phone calls, and endless worry about where she was or if she was even alive. My father’s alcoholism and gambling only added to the turmoil.
And my mother, she was a child herself when she had us. She never had the chance to grow into the person she might have been without the heavy burden of early motherhood. She loved us, but she was overwhelmed, exhausted, and often emotionally distant. She simply didn’t have the tools to give us the nurturing we needed.
For years, I struggled to make sense of it all. I felt guilty for not being able to fix things, for not being enough to make my family whole. That guilt grew into insecurity that followed me into adulthood. I doubted my own worth, questioning whether I deserved happiness or love.
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Management: Metro Fire is involved in managing the Wildland-Urban Interface, areas where residential communities border undeveloped wildland. This involves not only firefighting but also working on fuel reduction projects, educating homeowners about defensible space, and implementing land-use policies that reduce fire risks.
As an Assembly Delegate for my district, I bring a deep familiarity with the legislative process, which is invaluable for navigating the complexities of government and advocating for the needs of the Metro Fire District. My experience has equipped me with the ability to understand how laws and policies are developed, enabling me to effectively push for policy changes, and regulations that benefit our community.
I have strong advocacy and negotiation skills, developed through my community work. I have experience advocating for my community at local and state levels, working with officials and stakeholders to address important issues. My hands-on experience includes organizing public meetings, writing newsletters, and sending emails to keep residents informed about local issues. I also encourage community members to contact their local or state officials to ensure our collective voice is heard.
Through my role as an Assembly Delegate and my advocacy work, I have developed a vast network of contacts at both the local and state levels. This network is a powerful asset, enabling me to quickly connect with key decision-makers, facilitate partnerships, and address issues that require collaboration across different agencies. My established relationships with government officials and community leaders provide the Metro Fire Board with the necessary connections to advance its goals and secure the best outcomes for our district.
My comprehensive understanding of fire safety issues, along with my proactive approach to engaging with and representing the community, further equip me to contribute meaningfully in this capacity.
1. Financial Transparency: I strongly believe that government entities, especially those funded by taxpayer dollars, must operate with complete transparency. I advocate for regular financial audits, public reporting, and open communication about how funds are allocated and spent. I believe that taxpayers have the right to know how their money is being used and that this transparency is essential for building trust between the government and the community.
2. Government Accountability: I hold that elected officials and government leaders must be accountable for their actions and decisions. This means prioritizing the needs of the community over personal gain or outside interests. I oppose unnecessary or excessive spending, particularly when it detracts from critical public services. I believe that accountability involves not only financial stewardship but also responsiveness to community concerns and needs.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
