Part 1: Six hopefuls talk of top
priorities at Council Candidates Forum

The six candidates for Santa Paula City Council addressed the issues and answered questions during a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters Ventura County and Chamber of Commerce last week.

About 70 people attended the September 24 forum - taped for viewing on the city website as well as Time Warner Cable Channel 10 - held at the Community Center.

Incumbent Councilmen Ralph Fernandez, an architecture instructor and Bob Gonzales, the city’s retired police chief, are seeking a third term; former Councilman John Procter, Jenny Crosswhite a church pastor, John Demers, the COO of the Port of Hueneme and Ginger Gherardi, the retired executive director of the Ventura Transportation Commission, faced off during the 90-minute forum.

The six are vying for three seats: Mayor Rick Cook decided to step down from council service.

Barbara Doyle, co-president of the LWVVC, welcomed the crowd noting their interest was appreciated as well as vital to the democratic process. 

“Remember,” she noted, “democracy is not a spectator sport,” and all must vote November 4.

Moderator David Maron of Camarillo explained the rules of the forum, which included written questions submitted by audience members.

But first, each candidate offered a self-introduction: Crosswhite said she is running “because I am passionate about the community,” which she became deeply involved in upon her move to the city. 

“It became clear to me that the people of our city,” want more, and to attain same, goals and priorities must be established to “set the bar high” for a united council and community.

Fully bilingual in Spanish, Crosswhite said her education - including a Masters Degree - and life experiences “offer the skills and perspective” necessary to serve and benefit the community.

Gonzales noted he is “born and raised in Santa Paula,” attended local schools including Ventura College. He also attended two universities and later obtained his BA in criminal justice at the University of Laverne.

“In 1972 I moved back to the city,” and joined the SPPD first as a Reserve and climbing through the ranks to become chief.

“If I could do it again,” he said of his five-year tenure as chief, “I would... “

Gonzales said he also “served in other capacities” on the elementary, high school and district college boards of trustee. 

“I was frustrated with some of the stuff going on in the city when I retired,” in 2005, which Gonzales said caused him to run for council and be elected the first time in 2006.

Fernandez, also an incumbent, noted he is also a city native and that raising his family in Santa Paula, “allows me to be aware of what is going on with the city and the schools... “ 

A graduate of UC Berkeley - his wife is also an alumni of the university their oldest daughter is now attending - being involved in local schools has “Allowed me to see things through young peoples’ eyes,” and from their perspective.

Fernandez said, “My family ran a business for 45 years,” in Santa Paula, and he has served on various committees that have “Helped me see what is going on in the community... and since being on the council,” he has made time to work for the community.

Fernandez noted that he led the effort to refurbish the Steckel Park Aviary after it was threatened with closure.

Demers said, “We live in a city blessed with such great features,” once known as the “heart and soul of Ventura County,” and although still a “great city” but now dealing with crime, gangs and parks.

“The business climate is driving business away and good jobs,” all the while citizens - among the poorest in the county - are paying the highest water and sewer rates.

Demers said the current council “Is the problem and you deserve better, it’s time for new leadership in Santa Paula... “

Retired from the Navy and now the port’s COO, Demers noted his career has always included a close watch on policies, procedures, spending and general responsibility to attain desired results.

Demers said he would be a “careful steward of your money,” and noted that while serving in the military “I fought for you,” and would continue to do so while on the council.

Procter said his family arrived in the area in the 1880s and have “deep roots” in the city.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” except when attending Stanford and he first served on the council from 2000 to 2008.

“Some of the things that happened,” during his council tenure, “I’m very proud of,” including helping to reopen Santa Paula Hospital, televising council meetings, initiating goal setting and, “my proudest achievement,” saving the city $8 million in sewage discharge related fines through negotiations with the state.  

“People think there’s an increasing lack of connection with city government and I’ve been asked repeatedly to run,” again for office, including by city staff who, “say they want the respect they know I would give them... “

Gherardi retired seven years ago from her VCTC leadership position: “I had the reputation of bringing a great deal of money and resources into the county... if you drive a car, ride a bike,” use a bus or the Bike Trail, “I probably had something to do with it.”