Bee endorsement: Lengthy experience makes him the obvious choice for Patterson mayor
The logical next step for longtime Patterson City Councilman Dominic Farinha is moving up to mayor.
He has spent a lifetime in Patterson, the past 15 years on its City Council, weathering hard times and helping it through prosperous ones. As he pointed out in a recorded interview with The Modesto Bee, Farinha’s experience will enable him to hit the ground running in the city’s top elected office.
“I know how to find consensus without allowing our disagreements (on the council) to fall into disorganized mayhem,” Farinha said. “I seek to build bridges when I can, and stand on firm, solid ground when I need to.”
Those skills will be important as the new mayor works to restore trust that has been lost. Mayor Dennis McCord is not seeking re-election a year after revelations that he replied “wish I was there” when a 15-year-old student sent the 58-year-old math teacher a bikini photo on Snapchat. He resigned from the high school job in March.
Farinha has never been the flashiest member on a sometimes colorful council in recent years. His steady leadership is what’s needed to keep Patterson on the right course, capitalizing on proximity to Interstate 5 and Bay Area jobs.
“We’re all human,” he said when asked about McCord’s trouble. “I’ve always worn my heart for Patterson on my sleeve. I may not have the most exciting lifestyle, but I live within the law.”
His opponent, Michael Clauzel, initially accepted The Bee’s invitation to debate Farinha, but then did not participate, making Clauzel ineligible for the newspaper’s endorsement.
The Modesto recommends Dominic Farinha for mayor of Patterson.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow The Bee makes an election recommendation
The Modesto Bee Editorial Board interviews candidates for elected office, then discusses the merits of each. Candidates must participate to be eligible for an endorsement.
The Editorial Board consists of McClatchy California Opinion Editor Marcos Breton, Fresno Bee Opinion Editor Juan Esparza Loera, opinion writer Tad Weber and Don Blount, McClatchy Central Valley senior news editor.
The recommendation is an opinion meant to help readers reach their own decision on which candidate to choose.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of The Bee Editorial Board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
Decisions have no connection to news coverage of political races and are wholly separate from journalists who cover those campaigns.
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