Interview with Christina Fugazi

If someone like Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmerman were going to do an episode on Stockton and you were their guide where would you take them?

I would take them to several places including Bogg’s Tract community garden and Central Valley Neighborhood Community Harvest.  I would also probably take them to The Breadfruit Tree and/or Garlic Brothers, Manny’s and maybe Mile Wine, The Ave, Taps Bar 'N Grill, and Nena’s.  Oh, to The Fruit Stand on Waterloo for pie and seasonal fruit and to the Saturday Farmer’s Market under the Crosstown Freeway!  I would want them to see how some of our restaurants do “farm to fork” as well as see how amazing our area is agriculturally and the Delta is with eating opportunities right at the water’s edge.  

You stated before that one of the reasons you got into Stockton politics was that Assemblywoman Susan Eggman canvassed your neighborhood and encouraged you to get involved. Have you had any contact with her or her office since then?

Susan appointed me as her planning commissioner after she was elected to city council.  I happily served on the commission for 8 years being a part of some substantial decisions and policy changes.  I was one of 2 “no” votes on the 2035 general plan.  I also part of the “Big Box” ordinance, worked on the recycling ordinance, which I think still needs some stricter rules, and the medical marijuana ordinance.

Susan encouraged me to throw my name into the hat for city council when she was running for the State Assembly.  At first, I declined.  However after repeated discussions with her, I did apply for the appointment, losing in the final vote.  While running to be elected, I spoke to Susan a couple of times and a few times with her and her staff members after winning.

You seem to have a lot of grassroots support, certainly more than others on the Deis, why do you think that is?

I am not exactly sure why I have such strong grassroots support other than I am real.  I walked during the primary, but not to the degree I did in the general election.  I started in July and continued up until the week before the election.  Every day after school, I would try to go to at least 50 homes and talk with the people of Stockton.  I even did my own phone banking.  When someone asked me a question, I gave them my heartfelt opinion and that resonated with so many people.  My answers were never scripted.  

My upbringing is solid and I have strong morals and values.  People appreciate that.  Also, being in my 21^st year as a teacher, I have been involved in many children’s’ lives.  With that comes involvement with their families and my enthusiasm for the wellbeing of our children has not lessened one bit since my first year of teaching.  In fact, I would say that I am even more enthusiastic and determined to provide a city for our youth to thrive and prosper with unlimited opportunities for not only them, but their parents as well.

Recently in a Facebook post you wrote “Sometimes it seems as if Fitzgerald is the unapologetic columnist for the establishment that patted themselves on the back as they drove over us and then drove us off a cliff.” Do you feel that Michael Fitzgerald is being unfair or biased or that the entire Stockton Record is biased against Mayor Silva?

We all have people that for one reason or another seem to rub us the wrong way.  While I have spoken to Michael on several occasions, and even had him as a guest speaker in my class, I feel like no matter what the mayor does, it will never be good enough.  It is not my opinion that The Record is biased against the mayor, but controversy does sell papers and gets people to read online.  So when the mayor does, or is involved in, anything that might be controversial, you will find it on page 1.

I subscribe to The Record and often wish that there were more local pieces.  My students do current events, and I share my copy with them.  I want my kids to know what is going on in the world around them both locally and globally.  Michael does a great job of bringing local issues to light and has a strong grasp on some of the historical beginnings of Stockton.  However, I think that sometimes it seems as if Michael has his blinders on and is a bit detached from the majority of the people who live here and what is important to them.  Fortunately or unfortunately, most of those people don’t read the paper or even know who he is.

Being a full time school teacher have you had any issues balancing your day and night job? For instance have you had issue where a student or parent have been upset with something you did in your role as vice-mayor?

The balance is not as difficult as some might seem.  I am embarrassed to say that the toughest part for me is getting my papers graded in a timely manner and being able to attend the kids’ afterschool events such as soccer and volleyball games, Mock Trial events, and simply not being able to coach.  The other thing is my annual Yosemite backpacking trip with about a dozen of my students.  I have been doing that trip since 2000, and last year I couldn’t go.  This year, I made sure we did not have a single meeting, council or committee.  I have yet to miss a closed session or council meeting.  I think that I might be the only one on council since being elected.  It is important to me that I show up to listen to the people and cast my vote on all issues.

As far as a student or parent being upset, it is quite the opposite.  Many parents and students, past and present, came to my swearing in.  They are HUGE supporters.  After the election, they wanted to throw a party for me at school and start calling me Councilwoman.  I told them that I was their teacher first and that I did not want them addressing me as an elected official.  I will be now and forever their teacher. 

Now that you have served for couple years as vice-mayor do you have any regrets?

Actually, I have only served as Vice Mayor for the last 8 months and I do not have any regrets.  I am comfortable managing meetings in the absence of the mayor and I try to show support throughout Stockton for as many programs/organizations as possible.  I have attended events in every district as well as meetings of the various boards and commissions.  It is important that we work together and I am trying to lead by example.  During the summer, when I was off from school, I attended two Board of Supervisors’ meetings trying to address the issue of homelessness.  We have to build bridges and form collaborative teams, public and private, if we want to really turn things around in this city.  I believe that we can do it!  

What do you feel is Stockton’s biggest strength?

For me, I think one of our biggest strengths is our diversity (culturally, economically, spiritually, etc.).  While I also appreciate our tremendous history, not everyone knows about it, however we can definitely appreciate and embrace our rich diversity.  A very dear friend of mine who grew up in LA was confused when they came to Stockton.  They saw people from all backgrounds engaging in conversations, playing basketball, and just co-mingling, which was strange to them.  I didn’t notice it until I traveled to other parts of the country.  When I was in Washington DC preparing to ride the Metro, I asked a man for assistance.  He looked at me confused and then said, “You’re not from around here, are you?”  I proudly told him I was from California and he replied, “Figures”.  He told me that I just couldn’t walk up to anyone and ask questions.  I should find someone that looked like me and ask them.  I was shocked.  To be at our nation’s capital and get that kind of response disturbed me.  Then when I finally got to my train stop, I proceeded to walk several city blocks to get to my destination.  It was pointed out to me that I was the only white person on the street since I left the station and I was oblivious.  Does that make me naïve?  I don’t think so.  In my classes, I am the minority.  I have visited every neighborhood in this city.  I have students who have lived in Conway, Sierra Vista, Brookside, Morada, over by Franklin, off of Main Street, in Fox Creek, and Spanos Park.  I live 3 blocks west of Madison where there can be quite a bit of activity and walk through Weber Park all of the time.  This is my home, and I am proud to be a resident in my neighborhood and have the ability to travel throughout this city.  

In the small amount of free time that you have, how do you relax? What are some of your favorite movies, TV shows, hobbies etc.

I am almost embarrassed to answer this question, but with my spare time, if I am not with my family (nephews and niece especially), I love to watch TV and veg out.  My shows are Mr. Robot, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Suits, Vikings, Ballers, True Detectives, and I love reality TV such as Million Dollar Listing, and HGTV.  I love sports live (my kids’ games) and televised (Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco Giants, World Cup Soccer). 

If I have even more free time, I travel to Mexico twice a year and a big trip every other year.  I have been to Thailand, Vietnam, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Belize, China, Japan, and several other places.  When I travel, I like warm weather locations because I am not good in the cold.  When I went to Maine one October, it was in the 80’s here and in the 20’s there.  I was so cold that I sat on a radiator to warm up and burned my backside.