Bee endorsement: Voters’ best bets for Turlock mayor and northeast council seat

Of five candidates for Turlock mayor and City Council debating recently before The Modesto Bee, three were born and raised there. That says something about Turlock, a special place in the hearts of those who call it home and want to see Stanislaus County’s second-largest city governed by the best in spite of turmoil in recent times.

Will the revolving door of top administrators stop under the leadership of City Manager Reagan Wilson? Mayor Amy Bublak seems to think so. Hiring Wilson, who had been out of public service 18 years, and taking a chance on City Attorney George Petrulakis, who had only practiced privately before, were calculated risks.

Both times, Bublak made it happen.

The retired Modesto police officer seemingly has seen it all since being elected to Turlock’s council in 2008. She stayed the course through thick and thin, ousting former Mayor Gary Soiseth four years ago and pushing ahead despite deep council division and frequent 3-2 votes. Bublak is a savvy, pragmatic survivor.

Bublak takes credit for prudent spending, hiring more police officers and firefighters, bringing body cameras to police, and enabling repairs to long-suffering roads.

“I just want the opportunity to continue,” she said in the debate. She should get that chance.

Her opponent, Gil Esquer, failed to make a compelling case at the debate for choosing his leadership over Bublak’s. The Bee appreciates the service he rendered on the Turlock City Council until losing to Councilwoman Rebecka Monez two years ago. But his stated reason for challenging Bublak — that improvements are “going a little too slow(ly)“ — is hardly stirring.

Bublak said she has “gone to every business, every house and every church (in Turlock) in the last four years,” including knocking on 4,000 doors this year alone. “Those contacts are what makes this community so special to me, finding out what people want and need,” she said.

She has earned the privilege of continued service.

Turlock Council, District 3

Voters in northeast Turlock’s District 3 are fortunate to have a strong contender in Cassandra Abram, an eye doctor who returned to her hometown after college.

“I want to be really proactive on big issues” including homelessness, street repair and public safety, Abram said.

Her experience helping people on Los Angeles’ skid row suggest a candidate with courage and compassion. Her familiarity with the state’s expectation that Turlock build 2,800 affordable housing units suggest someone who does her homework and is prepared to tackle tough issues.

“I will be a respectful, thoughtful, collaborative and dedicated council member,” Abram said in the debate. Voters should give her that opportunity.

Ryan Taylor and Kelly Higgins, also running in District 3, performed admirably as well.

Taylor’s criticism of the council’s recent muzzling of abortion rights protesters was spot on. Bublak, backed by Petrulakis, unwisely restricted the group to two speakers during the public comment portion of a council meeting, rather than allowing all to exercise their right to free speech.

“The City Council should be accessible to all people, all ages, all backgrounds,” Taylor correctly said.

District 1 candidates Kevin Bixel and Chris Nichols, and District 3 candidate Ramin Odisho, did not participate in the forum and are not eligible for the newspaper’s endorsement.

The Modesto Bee recommends Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak for re-election, and Cassandra Abram in District 3.

This story was originally published October 9, 2022 at 4:00 AM.