Sunday, Oct. 05, 2008

Patterson mayoral candidates address hot topics

There are two candidates vying to become Patterson’s mayor: Becky Campo and Luis Molina. We asked them questions on pressing issues that affect the city.

Why are you running?

BECKY CAMPO: I’m the incumbent mayor right now, and two years is not enough time for some of the things we started. Issues like West Park and the general plan we need to complete. There are personnel, staff issues, we need to maintain continuity right now. A large number of people contacted me and quite a few urged me to run.

LUIS MOLINA: We want to raise the bar of accountability of elected officials. We have the aptitude and experience, and networks to the other cities, the county and the state. We believe the residents of Patterson need a strong leader who is accountable and accessible, who shows up. I represent people who have been let down by the mayor. She does a good job talking a good talk, but she doesn’t follow through.

What are the biggest issues facing Patterson?

CAMPO: The biggest issue is West Park. We are in litigation, and it’s important that we maintain that momentum. It’s difficult to tell if the other candidate will. The council is unanimous, one abstained with a conflict of interest. I’m personally against the project. We’ve received a lot of feedback from the community, and I feel we are representing the views of the majority of the community.

MOLINA: There are many. West Park remains one of the larger issues. A better educated work force, a better tax base, a better relationship with the schools. Water is another issue, not only the quantity but the quality. We need to look at regional water treatment. When we talk of developments, West Park and developments west of I-5, where does the water come from? We need to find ways to leverage better relationships with the sheriff’s office on the west side.

How do you intend to deal with the problems? CAMPO: We need to stay with the lawsuit and our position, depending on what the other side comes up with. I’m hoping, my ultimate goal, would be to kill it as presented by the developer. Then I would like to see it go back to the (Crows Landing) steering committee’s recommendation, if it takes another RFP (request for proposal, a bidding process) to revisit it.

MOLINA: West Park, I support the original footprint. If it was the original proposal without short haul rail, it would be something we could work with. If we don’t have the votes on the board of supervisors, we have to work with the developer to get the best project out there. Public safety, adults need to take ownership of all of our children. We need to support parents, turn young people away from negative activity, become mentors, make life relevant to young people. Water, we need to have a discussion so we are not operating in a vacuum. Bring the proven practices that fit our community.

What is a reasonable growth rate for the city?

CAMPO: That’s a difficult question. We’ve had a high growth rate for the past five or six years, every city experienced that. Two to 3 percent, something that’s reasonable for a city our size. We need to focus on economic development. The growth rate, with the housing crisis, will adjust itself. We will have one to five years of low growth rate. The abandoned homes need to be sold and occupied. I would like to see us focus on economic development, commercial and industrial bringing jobs.