On a recent trip to Las Vegas, Gonzales said he met a successful businessman “looking for a point of sale” location that would create city revenues. When Gonzales mentioned Santa Paula, “He said ‘Aren’t there a lot of gangs there?’ The town is poor, but we can make things happen in Santa Paula with leadership and a vision.” Businesses and others who can “bring to the table” benefits for Santa Paula must be approached, he added.There has been much improvement over recent years, said Council incumbent Dr. Gabino Aguirre, a high school principal who is seeking his second term. Quality is evident: “The parks are cleaned, there is no graffiti, city services” have been provided as never before. The city has used “television and the Internet” for public information, and “we’ve had community meetings for everything that involves Santa Paula.”Aguirre said that there is “no question in mind that the number one issue is quality growth... we are at the stage where we must move forward” with development that would not impact the agricultural industry and open space. “We need a reality check” and to tackle issues such as overcrowding while planning for future needs, as well as “also grow the economy, have well paying jobs and support our local merchants. Bringing our community together is leadership” that will attract “light, clean industrial jobs. To attract this we have two assets... land and labor,” the focus of an ongoing plan “to put those pieces together.”Damien Shilo, a Los Angeles City Fire paramedic for 28 years and SPFD and SPPD Reserve, said that the “number one challenge” for public safety and the city is economics. “It does impact” many issues and how they are approached, said Shilo, a first time Council candidate.“Sometimes thinking outside the box to push others harder for funds” is the solution, by tapping into state and county resources among others. The city must “improve our roads and help us deal with the traffic that everyone is concerned about, as well as central services and salary parity for police and fire,” also critical, Shilo noted.Balance of available funds and “quality services” must be attained, said Rick Cook, who is seeking his third term of office and serves as the city’s Mayor. Economic development and housing must remain priorities, as well as the “not so sexy things like sewer plants and streets... employee pay has not been forgotten,” Cook, a retired SPPD Sgt. and VC Public Defender’s Office investigator, noted.Although there is much talk of development, if voters do not approve same “where will we be? What would be Santa Paula’s future in 50 years?The city isn’t the richest in the county,” but the Council has utilized special funds - including Redevelopment Agency monies - for street repairs. “We’ve had to make decisions besides development... it will help,” but not solve all problems, although it would provide “places for new businesses and employees to live.”
Forum: Council candidates asked for specific solutions to city needs
October 13, 2006
Santa Paula News
City Council candidates were asked to get specific when it came to solutions to Santa Paula’s challenges during the October 5 Forum held at the Community Center.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesCity Council candidates were asked to get specific when it came to solutions to Santa Paula’s challenges during the October 5 Forum held at the Community Center. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Latino Town Hall and League of Women Voters, Forum Moderator David Maron - after seven of the eight candidates gave introductory opening remarks - asked the first question regarding specific solutions to the challenges faced by the city.“There’s an ongoing debate about how Santa Paula should grow,” and growth is needed, said first time Fred Robinson, the executive director of ARC Ventura County. “I think the number one challenge facing us is coming to consensus on how we want to grow.”Robinson advocated “some development,” including a resort/spa and hotel in Adams Canyon, “would be a good thing, would bring revenues to the city to pay for police and firefighters.” Infrastructure - especially streets - must be tackled, and proposed development in East Area 1 “has a lot of merit” - especially potential impacts to the eastern entry to the city, which Robinson said “needs improvement. We need to come together for the future of the city and agree upon” growth issues and stop bickering about the issue.“I think everyone here wants a sustainable” economy, noted City Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause, seeking her second term of office. “We can only achieve consensus” by looking at “Santa Paula today, our people, our housing, our education, economy and environment, and our place in the region.”Krause, a retired urban and regional planner, noted that “people tell me that they don want change,” but then they address critical city needs. “We are part of a county, state and nation” that are changing rapidly. “We cannot throw a big wall around Santa Paula, but work in such a way to benefit Santa Paula.”Although many plans and programs have been adopted over the years, they are “not worth the paper they are printed on” if decisions on direction are unable to be reached. “Or, we can pick ourselves up and work towards consensus.”Challenges include the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), Santa Paula Airport repair and service, but “number one is the divisiveness in the city,” said Ralph Fernandez, an architect/college instructor also seeking a first term of office. Fernandez said that Santa Paulans should work together, and that he would “want to solicit” input from residents on issues and concerns. “I attended many meetings with both sides... learned we all want the same thing... what’s good for Santa Paula.” Growth is wanted in Fagan Canyon, although ideas of specifics differ, and “I know we can’t solve all the disagreements we have, but” leaders are needed to devise creation solutions.Perceptions and beliefs regarding Santa Paula must be changed, said Bob Gonzales, the city’s retired police chief and a first time Council candidate. “I think we have to change the perception” to a positive and lure more visitors and businesses to the city. “We can agree to disagree” on ways to improve the city, but Gonzales said that development, both housing and industry, is needed.
