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ALL OF YOU OUT THERE, WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE JOINING US TONIGHT
[District 3 Candidate Forum on October 1, 2020]
FOR CANDIDATE FORUM.NUMBER THREE, I AM GOING TO MAKE THIS SHORT AND SWEET BECAUSE YOU HAVE SENT SO MANY QUESTIONS AND WE NEED TO GET THOSE OUT THERE.
BUT FIRST I WANT TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR HELPING US TO GET THIS THING TOGETHER.
AND I WOULD BE REMISSED IF I DIDN'T THINK DANNY ROMAN FOR BEING OUR TIMEKEEPER AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THE PLEDGE AND THEN I'M GOING TO IMMEDIATELY TURN IT OVER TO OUR MODERATOR, MS. MESA.
SO IF YOU'LL ALL STAND, FACE THE FLAG AND OVER YOUR HEART, CAN I PLAY ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WEST COVINA RESIDENTS, CANDIDATES AND GUESTS.
UM, MY NAME IS YESENIA MIRANDA MISA.
I AM A COMMUNITY LEADER ADVOCATE AND ACTIVIST IN THE CITY OF POMONA.
AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO BE INVITED HERE TO BE YOUR MODERATOR ONCE AGAIN, UH, THROUGH THE WEST COVINA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
SO WE'RE GONNA GET STARTED, UM, BY YOU GUYS, UH, GIVING YOUR PERSONAL, YOUR, YOUR OPENING STATEMENTS AND, UM, JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TWO MINUTES, UM, PER PERSON.
AND, UH, I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE OR ANYTHING, BUT I, IF I HAVE TO, I WILL CUT YOU OFF IF YOU GO OVER YOUR TIME.
SO, UM, YEAH, LET'S BEGIN, MR. STEVE BENNETT.
SORRY, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE MIC ROOKIE.
THANK YOU FOR PAYING ATTENTION TO THE CITY POLITICS.
UM, I'M STEVE BENNETT AND I'M HOPING TONIGHT I CAN SHOW YOU MY PLAN AND WHY I BELIEVE ON THE NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE CITY OF WEST COVINA.
UM, FIRST THOUGH, I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS.
WE NEED TO THANK THE WESCLEAN IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, CITY OF WEST COVINA FOR ALLOWING US TO DO THIS.
UM, TONIGHT WE SIT HERE AND UNIQUE TIMES, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT BECAUSE THE CITY OF WEST COVINA IS ON THE VERGE OF FINANCIAL BANKRUPTCY.
UM, THOSE DECISIONS HAVE CAME FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OUR CITY.
AND BECAUSE OF THEIR DECISIONS OVER THE YEARS, WE ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY OUR BILLS.
EXAMPLES ARE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OR CANDIDATES OVER THE YEARS, WHO'VE SAID, I'M GOING TO COME IN HERE AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. BUT WHEN THEY GET INTO ELECTED OFFICE, THEY FORGET OR DO NOTHING.
THEY TRIED TO IMPOSE NEW TAXES, THEY TRY TO INCREASE FEES AND BASICALLY MAKE THE TAXPAYERS US PAY THOSE FOOT.
THOSE BILLS TONIGHT, I ASK YOU TO PAY ATTENTION TO EACH CANDIDATE, LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US.
RESEARCH US, FIND OUT WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON US AND FIND OUT BASICALLY, IF WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS JOB, WE'RE BALANCING A $66 MILLION BUDGET AND WE NEED THE RIGHT PERSON IN THE JOB.
WE NEED REAL LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY AND IT'S TIME WE GET IT.
GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS ROSARIO DIAZ.
I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE IN PUBLIC SERVICE WITH 23 YEARS AS A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR.
I BRING UNIQUE EXPERIENCE, INSIGHT AND SKILLS TO THIS RACE, PUBLIC SAFETY, HOMELESSNESS, AND THE BUDGET AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES ARE IN THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND.
THAT'S GOING TO SAVE OR SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE CITY, BUT I PROMISE TO TAKE GREAT CARE AND FORETHOUGHT IN MAKING CRITICAL DECISIONS FOR OUR CITY.
I HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.
I HAVE COMMITTED MYSELF TO WALK IN EVERY STREET IN THE THIRD DISTRICT BEFORE ELECTION.
I'VE KNOCKED ON THE DOORS OF LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF VOTERS AND HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WHO, WHO CARE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WEST COVINA.
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I, THEY ENCOURAGE ME AND THEY INSPIRE ME AND I AM HUMBLED BY THEIR SUPPORT.THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE OF CONCERN THAT THEY'VE EXPRESSED TO ME IS THE SAFETY OF OUR STREETS.
SPEEDING CARS, IT'S RACING THROUGH DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS ARE DISASTERS WAITING TO HAPPEN.
SOLAR POWERED STOP SIGNS ARE COST EFFECTIVE AND GREATLY ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAVE LIVES.
ANOTHER SERIOUS ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME IS THE WEST COVINA FIRE DEPARTMENT.
99% OF THE PEOPLE I'VE LISTENED TO TELL ME THEY STRONGLY OPPOSED TO SWITCHING FIRE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COUNTY FIRE.
THEY ASKED IF THEY TAKE AWAY OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, HOW SOON BEFORE THEY TAKE AWAY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO NOT ON MY WATCH, VOTE FOR ROSARIO.
I'M NOT AN ACTIVIST WITHOUT A SOLUTION.
I'M NOT A NEW KID THAT MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'M NOT A NAME THAT APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
I'M COLEEN ROSATI, WHO HAS SHOWN UP FOR THE LAST FOUR DECADES TO DIG IN AND PROVIDE SWEAT EQUITY TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA.
I'VE ALREADY PROVEN TO BE A TRUE LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY BY BEING APPOINTED AND OR ELECTED TO POSITIONS THAT IN MY OPINION, ARE THE FOUNDATION TO HOLDING A CITY COUNCIL SEAT FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
I HAVE SERVED AS YOUR ELECTED CITY TREASURER BRINGING FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY ALONG WITH OVERSIGHT TO THE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO, CREATING A RAINY DAY FUND OF 35 MILLION IN 2016 AND EARNING APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION IN INTEREST OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WHILE ALWAYS KEEPING SAFETY, LIQUIDITY, AND YIELD AT THE FOREFRONT OF ANY INVESTMENT MADE ON YOUR BEHALF WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
I'M CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND HAVE BEEN SINCE 2016, I'M CURRENTLY A BULLDOG AND EDUCATOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AT WEST COVINA HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS IN DISTRICT THREE.
I'M A FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONER APPROVING PROJECTS THAT HAVE ENHANCED AND ACQUIRED REVENUE TO THE CITY.
I'M A FORMER ART AND PUBLIC PLACES.
COMMISSIONER APPROVING OVER $2 MILLION IN ART THAT HAS BROUGHT BEAUTY AND CULTURE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
A FORMER COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SENIOR COMMISSIONER ASSISTED WITH GROUP PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENRICH THEIR PROGRAM.
TURN REQUIRED TO ENRICH THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
FORMER PLANNING COMMISSION ASSISTED SORRY, A FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE COMMISSION CON ASSISTING IN THE CLOSING OF BKK IN EARLY 2000.
I'M A RETIRED BANKER VICE PRESIDENT FOR 22 YEARS.
I'M A MOM, A FRIEND, A NEIGHBOR, A LEADER.
YOUR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE FOR DISTRICT THREE FOR WEST CAMINA CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU, MISS ROSATI, MS. JESSICA SHOEMAKER.
GIVE IT, GIVE US A SECOND REALLY QUICK.
IS THIS BETTER? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
UM, AS YOU HEARD, I'M JESSICA SHOEMAKER, I'M CURRENTLY THE APPOINTED COUNCIL MEMBER ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
I HAVE LIVED IN WEST COVINA FOR 30 YEARS.
SO YOU CAN DO YOUR MATH AND FIGURE OUT HOW OLD I AM.
UM, I WAS HONORED TO SERVE ON THE WEST COVINA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD FOR 13 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR TWO YEARS.
THIS ELECTION I FEEL IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO OUR CITY.
WE HAVE LOOMING ISSUES SUCH AS THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL GO TO COUNTY.
UM, WE HAVE LOOMING ISSUES OF BUDGET CONCERNS.
WE ALREADY HAD COMPOUNDED BY LOST REVENUE, THROUGH COVID WITH OUR BUSINESSES BEING CLOSED.
AND IT REALLY CALLS FOR A CANDIDATE WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THIS TYPE OF WORK.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE MY REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AND MY SUCCESS STORIES, I RECOMMEND YOU DRIVE AROUND WEST COVINA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
LOOK AT THE NEW BUILDINGS, LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE SCHOOLS.
THAT'S MY RECORD AND A RECORD THAT NONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES CAN MATCH.
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SO I HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR VOTE SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON BRINGING WEST COVINA BACK TO THE WEST COVINA THAT I GREW UP WITH.AND MANY OF YOU REMEMBER, THANK YOU, MS. SHOEMAKER.
SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST QUESTION MR. BENNETT IS ON CELL TOWERS AND IT STATES COMPANIES SUCH AS AT AND T VERIZON AND T-MOBILE AND SUBCONTRACTORS SEEM TO HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OVER THE RESIDENTS WHEN IT COMES TO ADDING CELL TOWERS THROUGHOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, SOME ARE ENCROACHING ONTO OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY.
WILL YOU ADVOCATE FOR THESE COMPANIES TO REQUIRE THE HOMEOWNER'S PERMISSION PRIOR TO ALLOWING THEM TO PLACE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CELL TOWER, UM, ADDITIONS IN THE CITY, EVEN SOME THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON TOP OF, UH, CITY LIGHT STRUCTURES OR, OR STREET LIGHTS AND THE STATE, UM, HAS REALLY PUT A RESTRICTION ON WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE THOSE CELL TOWERS.
UM, ONE OF THOSE IS WE CAN'T DO THAT BASED ON PUBLIC HEALTH.
I THINK THAT WE NEED MORE PERMISSION FROM RESIDENTS IN AN AREA.
I DON'T THINK A CELL TOWER SHOULD BE PLACED, UM, IN SOMEONE'S YARD OR IN THEIR BACKYARD.
I BELIEVE THAT, UM, THE RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE THAT SAY, UM, IT COMES DOWN TO A LITTLE BIT OF HOW WE HANDLE THAT THE STREET LIGHT ONES THAT WERE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL NOT LONG AGO, UM, WERE UGLY.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, AS A RESIDENT, I WOULDN'T WANT THAT ON A STREETLIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.
SO YEAH, I WOULD, UM, I WOULD DEFINITELY ADVOCATE FOR MORE SAY BY THE HOMEOWNERS IN THAT AREA.
UM, AND DEFINITELY NOT APPROVE ANYTHING THAT I BELIEVE WOULD ENCROACH ON PRIVATE PROPERTY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CITY, MUCH LESS, UH, ANYTHING IN DISTRICT THREE.
THANK YOU, MS. DIAZ, THOSE TOWERS ARE HORRIBLE.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT WE DO ADVOCATE AGAINST HAVING THOSE TOWERS IN PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS.
I WOULD ADVOCATE THAT WE MAY BE PUT THEM IN MALLS OR IN PUBLIC PARKING AREAS INSTEAD OF IN ANYONE'S BACKYARD.
AND I THINK THAT WE SHOULD LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS OF WEST COVINA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T PUT THOSE THERE.
AND AS FAR AS A SAFETY ISSUE, WE DON'T WANT THAT.
THANK YOU, MR AND MRS. ROSATI, THANK YOU.
AS A PLANNING COMMISSIONER, THERE WERE MANY TIMES WHEN CELL TOWERS CAME BEFORE US AND WE HAD TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES, BUT I BELIEVE WE ALWAYS PUT THE RESIDENTS INTEREST, HEALTH AND CONCERNS BEFORE US.
I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THOSE AS YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY SAY WHEN CELL TOWERS ARE PLACED WITHIN OUR CITY.
UM, AND I FEEL THAT WHILE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE CELL TOWERS, WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL FOR THE CELLULAR STATE AND HEALTH AND THE WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND KIM WAS SHOEMAKER.
SO THIS IS WHERE THE EXPERIENCE ON BEING A COUNCIL MEMBER COMES INTO EFFECT.
I COULD SIT HERE AND SAY TO YOU, YES, WE WANT RESIDENTS INVOLVEMENT.
WE WANT TO PUT THESE RULES IN PLACE BECAUSE ALL OF THAT IS TRUE, BUT THE SIMPLE FACT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NOT THE STATE HAS IMPOSED RULES AND THE RULES ARE, YOU BASICALLY HAVE NO SAY THANKFULLY THERE WAS A COURT CASE RECENTLY THAT DID SAY WHEN IT COMES TO AESTHETICS, WE CAN SAY YES OR NO, BUT THAT IS THE LIMIT OF SCOPE OF WHERE CITY GOVERNMENT CAN SAY ANYTHING.
AND THE REASON THIS HAPPENED TO US IS BECAUSE THERE ARE LOBBYISTS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES THAT ARE JUST MORE POWERFUL THAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AND WHEN CITIES TRIED TO PUSH BACK AND PUT INTO PLACE RULES AND REGULATIONS, WE GOT OVERRULED BY STATE AND FEDERAL AT THAT POINT.
SO I WOULD ADVOCATE THAT CITIES SOMEHOW FORM COALITION ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ADVOCATE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT THESE RULES CHANGE.
WHEN YOU SAID THAT WE CANNOT TAKE HEALTH INTO ACCOUNT AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT AGAIN, THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING WE ADVOCATE AGAINST.
SO AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, MY DUTY IS FOLLOW THE LAW.
AND SO I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS.
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TOWER IN MY YARD EITHER.AND SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE A COALITION WORKING TOGETHER TO OVERCOME THERE WAS THE ISSUE.
SO NOW WE'RE MOVING ON TO, UH BKK AND MS. DIAZ, WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE AT BKK LANDFILLS LEFT ALONE, MILD DEVELOPMENT OR INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT, LIKE A HOTEL? THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
THERE ARE MANY STATE AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT OVERSEE AND SHARE THE AUTHORITY OVER THAT PROPERTY.
NO DEVELOPMENT CAN MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT EXPLICIT APPROVAL BY ALL OF THESE AGENCIES.
THANK YOU, MS. ROSATI, THANK YOU.
AS FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE COMMISSIONER, WHO ASSISTED IN THE CLOSING OF BKK IN THE EARLY TWO THOUSANDS, I HAVE MANY CONCERNS REGARDING THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF SOME POLI WHILE THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE LAND.
I FEEL THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS IN REFERENCE TO ISSUES THAT ARE AT THE FOREFRONT AND CONCERNS OF THE RESIDENTS.
BEGINNING WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE WEST COVINA COMMUNITY.
THE CONCERN FOR WILDLIFE WHO HAVE MADE THIS AREA, THEIR HOME AND HABITAT, THE UNKNOWN TOXICITY LEVELS AND HOW FAR THEY MAY EXPAND AND HAVE EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS WHILE IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THESE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE DEVELOPER.
I PERSONALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT WEST COVINA WITH ALL DUE RESPECT IS A DESTINATION LOCATION.
I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FOLKS IN ITALY ARE PLANNING THEIR NEXT VACATION HERE IN WEST COVINA, ESPECIALLY TO STAY ON TOP OF A LANDFILL.
THEREFORE, I DON'T THINK A 30 ROOM, A 430 ROOM HOTEL WILL HAVE A HUNDRED PERCENT OCCUPANCY, WHICH IN TURN DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING REVENUE AND GENERATING HOTEL BED TAX DOLLARS TO US COVINA.
I FEEL IT WILL NOT BE THE EXPENSE EXCEPT THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER OR THE CITY.
A SUGGESTION IS SOLAR PANELS MIGHT BE A GOOD INVESTMENT, POSSIBLY A TRAINING GROUND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OR OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY ENTITIES COULD USE THIS FACILITY FOR TRAINING GROUND AND POSSIBLY PAY A FEE, WHICH WOULD GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE CITY.
THANK YOU, MS. ROSATI, MS. SHOEMAKER.
SO THE PART OF WEST COVINA I USED TO LIVE IN IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BKK.
UM, WHEN MY FAMILY MOVED HERE IN 1991, SORRY, 1990.
WE WERE TOLD THAT BKK WAS GOING TO CLOSE IN 1991.
AT THAT TIME, AN ORGANIZATION FORMED CALLED THE RACCOONS RESIDENTS AGAINST CONTINUED CONTAMINATION OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
I WAS NINE YEARS OLD WHEN MY PARENTS GOT INVOLVED IN THIS AND WHAT THEY EVENTUALLY HAD TO DO, BECAUSE THERE WAS A MAJORITY ON THE COUNCIL WHO DID NOT WANT TO CLOSE BKK BECAUSE OF ITS TAX REVENUE IS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY.
SO I'M THE ONLY ONE UP HERE WHO CAN SAY
THIS IS DISTRICT THREE'S FORUM, SO, OKAY.
I'M GOING TO PUT IT A LITTLE FURTHER BACK.
I THINK THAT'S, WHAT'S DOING IT.
SO MY FAMILY'S NAME IS ACTUALLY ON THE LAWSUIT THAT LED TO BKK BEING CLOSED.
SO I'VE ALWAYS WATCHED THIS ISSUE CLOSELY.
AND MY FEELING IS RIGHT NOW, WHAT THE CITY IS DOING IS SELLING LAND.
THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE DUMP THAT SURROUNDED THE DUMPING SITES AND SEEING POLI IS PROPOSING TO DO THIS WHOLE DEVELOPMENT.
BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE'VE ONLY AGREED TO SELL THE LAND.
AND I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN AGENCY, WELL, A COMPANY THAT CAN AFFORD
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TO DO ALL THE TESTING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE UP THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE LAND THAT'S SITTING THERE.WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH A PART OF THE CLASS, ONE LANDFILL AND CLASS THREE LANDFILL HAVE CONTAMINATED THE AREAS, HOW FAR IT'S SPREAD.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROPERTY TESTED, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO KNOW IF MORE OF OUR COMMUNITIES BEING CONTAMINATED.
AND SO THAT IS WHY I'M FOR THE SALE TO SING POORLY, TO FIND OUT IF WE ARE IN FACT, HAVING, YOU KNOW, CONTAMINATION ON AREAS WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
AND SO THAT WE CAN FORCE THE AGENCIES WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MONITORING IT, ACTUALLY SHOEMAKER, THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, I'M OPPOSED TO ANY DEVELOPMENT AT THE BKK SITE.
UH, WE HAVE A SITUATION, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE KEEPS REFERRING TO IT AS A LANDFILL.
IT'S A TOXIC WASTE DUMP, AND IT'S NOT A LANDFILL.
THEY'VE DUMPED EVERYTHING FROM ARSENIC AND AGENT ORANGE AND MERCURY AND EVERYTHING INTO THAT GROUND.
AND THAT, THAT TOXIC WASTE SITE ISN'T EVEN A LINED TOXIC WASTE SITE.
THE LANDFILL'S NOT LYING TO EITHER, UM, ANY TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT, ANY TYPE OF DISTURBANCE TO THAT, THAT PROPERTY, TO THE LAND, WHATEVER IT MAY BE RUNS THE RISK OF HURTING RESIDENTS.
UM, THERE'S NO WAY I WOULD EVER PUT RESIDENTS LIVES THEIR HEALTH IN JEOPARDY, UM, FOR MONEY IT'S CAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.
THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD UP THEIR, YOU KNOW, IF THE RESIDENTS GO OUT TO THE HEIGHTS, WHICH IS A SHOPPING CENTER WHERE THERE'S A HOME DEPOT AND A TARGET AND A BIGLY DREAMS, HOME DEPOT HAS A METHANE MONITOR INSIDE THE LUMBER DEPARTMENT.
I DON'T KNOW ANY HOTEL GUESTS, IT'S ONE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE A METHANE MONITOR IN THEIR HOTEL ROOM OR A BANQUET ROOM OR, OR THE CHECK IN AREA OF A HOTEL.
I JUST DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
UM, SO I HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME WITH UNDERSTANDING WHETHER THERE'S ANY DEVELOPMENT GOING UP THERE AT ALL.
I DO AGREE THAT THERE, THERE IS SOME POSSIBILITIES OF USE OF THE LAND UP THERE.
THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT I BELIEVE WOULD BE GOOD, BUT I DON'T THINK RELYING ON A THIRD PARTY, UM, COMPANY THAT IS IN IT FOR PROFIT TO FIND THESE TESTS AND TO PAY FOR THESE TESTS IS GOING TO GET THE CITY RESPONSIBLE ANSWERS.
YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD BE REACHING OUT TO THE DTSC THE DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL THE EPA.
THOSE SHOULD BE THE ONES THAT ARE PROVIDING THE CITY, THE REPORTS AND THE STUDIES, THE THIRD PARTY PROFIT FOR PROFIT COMPANY SHOULD NOT BE FUNDING THAT BECAUSE WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THOSE REPORTS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US ARE GOING TO BE ACCURATE.
SO NOW I OPPOSE ANY INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF BKK AND ANYONE WHO LIVES AROUND THERE SHOULD AS WELL.
THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, MS. ROSATI, WE'RE GONNA MOVE FORWARD TO OUR NEXT QUESTION.
AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT BAN ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS HAVE EVOLVED THEMSELVES INTO OUR ELECTION SUPPORTING CANDIDATES WITH MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS, AS WELL AS CAMPAIGNING ON LOCAL ISSUES.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BAN ON CAMPAIGNING AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN OUR LAST ELECTION? IS THIS IN REFERENCE TO UNIONS? I DIDN'T HEAR THE FIRST PART THAT YOU SAID.
SO IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS HAVE INVOLVED THEMSELVES INTO OUR ELECTIONS.
DO YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE? CAN YOU REPEAT IT AGAIN? THANKS.
SO PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS HAVE INVOLVED THEMSELVES INTO OUR ELECTIONS SUPPORTING CANDIDATES WITH MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS, AS WELL AS CAMPAIGNING ON LOCAL ISSUES.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT A BAN ON CAMPAIGNING AND CONTRIBUTIONS IN OUR ELECTIONS? WELL, CURRENTLY I'M SUPPORTED BY THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE UNION EACH MEMBER OF THE FIREFIGHTERS IN WEST COVINA, OUR UNION.
THEY SUPPORTED ME IN THE 2018 ELECTION WHEN THE CITY TREASURER AS AN ELECTED SPOT AND THE CITY CLERK AS AN ELECTED SPOT WAS UP FOR ARGUMENT TO COME AND BECOME APPOINTED.
THE FIREFIGHTERS RALLIED AROUND AND FELT THAT BOTH OF THOSE POSITIONS WERE IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY TO STAY AS ELECTED POSITIONS.
IF THE FIREFIGHTERS IN MY CASE HAD NOT COME AND RALLIED AROUND AND HELPED GET THE WORD OUT TO THE RESIDENTS, THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT AFTER 95 YEARS TO RETAIN THOSE TWO SPOTS AS LEGAL SPOTS, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD HAVE PASSED.
SO THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE ENDORSING ME.
AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT THEY ARE.
I THINK WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO REALIZE IN MY CASE IS I HAVE A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP THAN MOST.
I'VE KNOWN THEM ON A PHILANTHROPIC BASE.
THEY HELPED WITH MY FOUNDATION WEST COVINA, BEAUTIFUL ANYTIME.
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WE NEED HELP WITH AN IMPACT PROJECT TO HELP RESIDENTS TO BEAUTIFY THEIR PROPERTY, THEY'RE THERE ON THEIR OWN TIME WITHOUT HESITATION.UM, AS FAR AS THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAMPAIGN, UM, I'M HELP, SORRY.
I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH THEM ENDORSING AND OR HELPING CANDIDATES TO GET ELECTED, TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS.
MISS ROSATI, MS. SHOEMAKER, YOU HEAR ME? OR IS IT BAD AGAIN? OKAY, THERE WE GO.
UM, THIS IS A COMPLICATED QUESTION BECAUSE YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, THERE ARE A LOT OF TEACHERS AND CLASSIFIED STAFF THAT ACTUALLY LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO WHEN THEY GIVE ENDORSEMENTS OR NOT, IT IS COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPEAKING TO US.
UM, AND THE CASE OF PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A VOICE, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ANYBODY, HAVING THAT MUCH OF A SWAY OVER THE ELECTORATE, I AM NOT FOR IT BECAUSE THEN YOU GET INTO ALLEGATIONS OF BUYING AN ELECTION.
I MEAN, FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE'VE HEARD NOTHING BUT COMPLAINTS ABOUT, UH, FROM A FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER AGAINST A CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBER ON EXPENDITURES FROM THE FIRE UNION.
UM, RIGHT NOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WANTS US TO GO TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE.
SO I CAN'T IMAGINE A WORST TIME FOR THEM TO BE ENDORSING SOMEBODY.
I MEAN, QUITE FRANKLY, I WAS NOT TALKED TO ABOUT ENDORSEMENT AND I WOULD NOT HAVE ACCEPTED ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF US GOING TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE.
SO THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS QUITE FRANKLY, IT WOULDN'T BE LEGAL FOR US TO BAN THE EXPENDITURES.
SO, UM, THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE.
I CAN JUST HOPE THAT RESIDENTS STAY EDUCATED AND KNOW WHO THE DONORS ARE TO INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES TO OFFSET THE INFLUENCE.
THANK YOU, MS. SHOEMAKER, MR. BENNETT.
UM, I, I ACTUALLY SUPPORT THE IDEA OF NOT ALLOWING OUR PUBLIC UNION, THE PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS TO, UH, UH, GET INVOLVED IN THE ELECTION, YOU KNOW, AND, AND, UM, 2018, THEY SPENT OVER $17,000, UM, OPPOSING A COUNCIL MEMBER AS MS. SHOEMAKER JUST ALLUDED TO, UM, THERE'S NOT A PERSON IN THIS ROOM THAT'S GOING TO PUT 17 TO $20,000 OF THEIR OWN MONEY, OR EVEN POSSIBLY FUNDRAISE FROM RESIDENTS THAT MUCH MONEY TO, UH, PUT UP A DEFENSE AGAINST THAT TYPE OF UNION, UM, INFLUENCE.
AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS THAT DID THAT.
UM, YOU KNOW, OUR CITY TREASURER WHO SPOKE A LITTLE WHILE AGO, SHE SAID SHE'S ENDORSED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
SHE'S ALSO ON THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR OF MOVING THE CONTRACT TO L A TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A VOTE.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT INFLUENCE OF HAVING THE PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, MONEY INVOLVED.
SHE TALKED ABOUT 2018 ABOUT CITY TREASURER AND HOW, WITHOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT, WE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THE CITY TREASURER TO AN APPOINTED POSITION.
I RAN FOR CITY CLERK AND THEY GAVE ME NO MONEY TO RUN FOR CITY CLERK.
AND THEY ALSO DID NOT SEND OUT ANY MAILERS AGAINST GOING TO AN APPOINTED POSITION.
AND WE'RE STILL AN APPOINTED OR WE'RE STILL AN ELECTED CITY CLERK.
SO THE INFLUENCE TO KEEP IT IN AN ELECTED CITY, TREASURER, I THINK IS A LITTLE BIT OF A FARCE.
UM, I WOULD BE OPEN TO GIVING THEM A CAP IF THE LEGALITY IS WE CAN'T STOP THEM FROM GIVING OR BEING INVOLVED.
UM, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS OF $500, UH, FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS OR PACK TO A CANDIDATE.
UM, I WOULD BE WILLING TO SEE A $500 LIMIT ON HOW MUCH THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE IN AN ELECTION AS AN INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE.
BUT, UM, I DEFINITELY THINK THE INFLUENCE IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THEY GET THE CANDIDATES.
THEY WANT TO GET THE VOTES THEY WANT.
I THINK THAT'S WITHOUT QUESTION.
THANK YOU, MR. BRENNAN, MS. TIA'S, CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA LAWS SAYS THEY CAN'T CONTRIBUTE THESE CAMPAIGNS.
UH, DO I LIKE IT? OF COURSE NOT.
I WOULD MAYBE LIKE IT IF THEY CONTRIBUTE TO ME OR HELP ME OUT, BUT THEY DIDN'T.
AND, UM, BUT, UM, I CAN'T PUT A BAND ON THAT.
THEY GET THEY'RE ALLOWED TO DO IT.
[00:30:01]
NOW ONLY IN ON TO, UM, MOVING TO LA COUNTY SERVICES.THIS QUESTIONS STARTS WITH YOU, MS. SHOEMAKER, AND ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF MOVING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES? UM, IF RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THE MEETINGS WHERE THIS HAS COME UP, I BELIEVE MY POSITION IS PRETTY CLEAR.
AND MY LIST OF QUESTIONS I'VE ASKED THAT I'VE PUBLISHED, UM, IS PRETTY CLEAR.
I THINK HAVING OUR OWN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT MAKES WEST COVINA VERY UNIQUE AND IS A BADGE OF HONOR.
UM, I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF MOVING TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
I DO NOT BELIEVE WE WILL GET THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE WE HAVE HERE.
AND I KNOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL SAY THERE ARE A LOT OF FUNDING, SHORTFALLS AND AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO PUT MONEY.
AND MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS AT LEAST HERE, WE HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER THAT.
WHEN WE GO TO LA COUNTY, WE WOULD BE FACED WITH THEIR COSTS AND NO CONTROL OVER THEIR COSTS.
YES, THE FIREFIGHTERS THEMSELVES WOULD BE FINE, BUT OUR COMMUNITY WOULD NOT BE FINE.
AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT I'M HERE TO LOOK OVER OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR RESIDENTS.
I AM NOT FOR LONGER RESPONSE TIMES.
I'M NOT FOR SEEDING ANY MORE LOCAL CONTROL THAN HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN AWAY.
SO, NO, I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF US MOVING TO COUNTY.
UM, YOU KNOW, BACK IN 1997, THIS IS AN OLD TOPIC.
THE, UH, THERE WAS A BALLOT MEASURE CALLED MEASURE B THAT WAS VOTED ON BY THE PEOPLE ABOUT KEEPING THE WEST GREEN OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE AT THAT TIME, THE SAME UNION, THAT'S TRYING TO MOVE TO WEST, GO TO LA COUNTY.
FIRE, WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING.
AND OVER 60% OF THE VOTERS SAID NO AND CAMPAIGNING AND KNOCKING ON DOORS AND WALKING THROUGH DISTRICT THREE, I HAVE NOT MET A PERSON YET.
THAT IS IN FAVOR OF THIS SWITCH.
UM, THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS ARE SIMPLY THIS, THE RESPONSE TIMES ARE GOING TO GO UP.
I HAVE AN EMAIL HERE FROM, UH, ONE OF THE WEST COVINA DISPATCHERS THAT I GOT ON A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST, WHERE THEY STATED TO THEIR PEOPLE, THAT IF THE PUBLIC ASKS ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE SWITCH, THAT CALLS COMING INTO OUR DISPATCH CENTER WILL BE HANDLED BY OUR DISPATCH CENTER, THEN TRANSFERRED TO LA COUNTY.
THAT'S JUST ADDING RESPONSE TIME.
WE, WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER WHO WANTED TO SIGN A CONTRACT ACCORDING TO ONE OF THESE EMAILS ON JULY ONE AND TRYING TO SUPERSEDE THE WHAT'S CALLED LAFCO AND ASKING FOR A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO HELP SPEED THIS ALONG.
THIS IS NOT A DECISION THAT THE CITY RESIDENTS WANT.
THIS IS COMING FROM THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
THIS IS COMING FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTERESTS AND NOT THE CITY.
I DO NOT SUPPORT THE MOVE TO LA COUNTY.
I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY NUMBERS THAT MAKE IT RIGHT.
UM, THERE'S PROPOSING CLOSING TWO FIRE STATIONS, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND THEY'RE SAYING IT'S BETTER.
BUT BACK A FEW YEARS AGO, WHEN A CITY COUNCIL WANTED TO CLOSE ONE FIRE STATION, THEY SAID THAT IT'S BAD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO THIS IS JUST TALKING OUT OF TWO SIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS.
AND I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IT FOR THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS.
AND I THINK YOU SEE THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE SECURED VOTES ON THE COUNCIL TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
UM, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS TOPIC BECAUSE IT HURTS THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENTS.
AND I REALLY HOPE THAT PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT I WILL NOT BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS.
I DO NOT THINK IT'S A GOOD THING.
THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, MS. DIAZ, WE MUST KEEP OUR INDEPENDENT FIRE DEPARTMENT.
99% OF THE RESIDENTS THAT I SPOKEN TO DURING MY WALKS HAVE OPPOSED US.
THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT GOING COUNTY AND THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIMEFRAME AND LOSING STATIONS AND HAVING RESPONSE TIMES, UM, NOT MET.
UM, THERE ARE PLAN CALLS FOR CLOSING TWO STATIONS AND NO STAFF INCREASE.
THE SERVICE DIMINISH WITH A RESPONSE TIMES INCREASE.
IF WE CLOSE OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE'LL NEVER GET IT BACK.
AND MY VOTE IS NO, I WILL NOT VOTE TO GO TO COUNTY FIRE.
THANK YOU, MS. DIAZ, MS. ROSATI.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY SOME MISINFORMATION.
I WANT TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF FIVE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS GOING COUNTY.
WHAT I'M IN FAVOR OF IS PROPERLY FUNDING OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND KEEPING IT INTACT IN JUNE.
THE CITY COUNCIL ASKED THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THREE DIFFERENT PLANS, ONE A BROWNOUT,
[00:35:01]
ONE, AN AMBULANCE SERVICE TO TAKE THE PLACE OF OUR MTS AND GOING COUNTY FIRE.IN MY OPINION, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FOURTH OPTION.
HOW CAN WE RETAIN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT? HOW CAN WE KEEP THEM INTACT? IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT I VOTED TO DISHPAN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND GO COUNTY.
WE WERE REQUESTED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION, A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY, TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF ONE OF THESE THREE PROPOSALS.
AFTER TWO HOURS, THE MEETING NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD.
HEARING 19 PHONE CALLS THAT CAME IN 15 IN FAVOR OF GOING COUNTY THREE IN FAVOR OF BROWNOUT.
AND ONE THAT WANTED TO KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THE FIREWORKS.
AND 4TH OF JULY, BASED ON THE INFORMATION BETWEEN THE BROWNOUT, THE AMBULANCE AND GOING COUNTY, IT SEEMED TO US AS A COMMITTEE AND I WAS NOT THE ONLY VOTE BECAUSE THERE WERE FOUR OF US TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO GO COUNTY.
I WANT TO REITERATE, I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF GOING COUNTY.
THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT IN FAVOR OF GOING COUNTY.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MERELY KEEP INTACT OUR FIREFIGHTERS, PROTECT THOSE THAT PROTECT US.
WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A BUDGET.
WE HAVE BEEN FISCALLY AND CHEMISTS ROSATI.
SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING ON TO OUR LAST QUESTION.
SO WE HAVE TIME FOR MORE QUESTIONS.
SO IT'S NOT OUR LAST QUESTION, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO YOU, MR. BENNETT.
AND THE QUESTION IS IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU ABOLISH THE BAN ON NO FIREWORKS IN OUR CITY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
UM, NO, UM, I CAN'T MAKE A VOTE ON THAT.
I WORK IN THAT INDUSTRY, SO I WOULD HAVE TO RECUSE OUT OF ANY DECISION RELATED TO FIREWORKS.
UM, I WORK WITH CLOSE TO A HUNDRED NONPROFIT ENTITIES THAT SELL SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
AND THEY DO THEM IN MUNICIPALITIES THAT ALLOW IT.
THEY DO NOT DO THAT IN MUNICIPALITIES THAT DO NOT.
SO NO, I WOULD NOT, UH, ABOLISH THE BAN.
UM, I WOULDN'T HAVE A SAY IN IT BECAUSE LEGALLY IT'S NOT ALLOWED.
SO IT'S A PRETTY SIMPLE ANSWER FOR ME.
THE ANSWER IS NO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MR. BENDAMUSTINE SAYS, SHOULD REPEAT THE QUESTION.
IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU ABOLISH THE BAN ON NO FIREWORKS IN OUR CITY? THAT'S A, NO, I WILL NOT ABOLISH THE BAN OF IT'S.
IT'S FUNNY THAT WE HAVE A BAN ON FIREWORKS AND FIREWORKS GOING ON SINCE JUNE OR MAY, AND IT'S VERY DISRUPTING FOR ANIMALS AND FOR FAMILIES, CHILDREN.
OKAY, MR. ROSATI, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I HAVE THREE LITTLE YORKIE TERRIERS THAT WERE TERRIFIED.
I KEPT THINKING THAT IT WAS GOING TO STOP.
I WOULD NOT VOTE TO CHANGE THE ORDINANCE.
AND GIVE MISS ROSATI MS. SHOEMAKER.
UM, WHILE I BELIEVE FIREWORKS ARE FUN TO LIGHT OFF AND SEE, WE ARE JUST TOO DENSELY POPULATED TO HAVE FIREWORKS IN WEST COVINA.
YOU KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE LIVED HERE.
UM, SOMEBODY SAID THE HILL BY MY FORMER HOUSE ON FIRE WITH FIREWORKS AND I LIVE BY THE GALSTER WILDERNESS PARK.
OF COURSE, A MONTH LATER, THERE WAS ANOTHER FIRE, BUT WE'LL MOVE ON FROM THAT.
SO, NO, I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF REMOVING IT.
UM, I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE THIS YEAR WAS BECAUSE OF THE STATE SAYING YOU COULDN'T HOLD FIREWORKS SHOWS BECAUSE OF COVID-19 EVERYBODY DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE AN OUTLET SOMEWHERE.
I KNOW OUR COUNCIL HAS PASSED ORDINANCES TO STRENGTHEN FEES AND FINES FOR VIOLATORS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WITH OUR BUDGET, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN DO WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF OFFICERS AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO SEE THE PERSON LIGHTING THEM OFF TO BE ABLE TO CITE THEM.
BUT IT'S AN AREA THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON.
SO MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT QUESTION.
IT'S FINANCES, MS. DIAZ, ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF A PARCEL TAX TO PAY FOR MUCH NEEDED CITY SERVICES? WHY OR WHY NOT?
[00:40:05]
WE ALREADY PAY ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN THE NATION.THE RESIDENTS OF WEST COVINA CANNOT BEAR THE WEIGHT OF ANOTHER TAX INCREASE.
THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN 80 TO 20%, NO NEW TAXES.
I WILL BE INCLINED TO VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE.
RAISING TAXES SHOULD BE THE ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT.
I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO CREATE A PARCEL TAX EITHER.
I THINK THERE'S OTHER WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE TO THE CITY.
AND I THINK GOING FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME OF THOSE WAYS COME FRUITION.
I'VE WORKED WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE FINANCE DIRECTOR ON MANY OCCASION AND HAS SUGGESTED THAT WE LOOK INTO MORE GRANTS.
I ACTUALLY DID THAT IN 2016 WITH THE THEN CITY MANAGER.
IT WAS AN UNTOUCHED OPPORTUNITY FOR US.
AND UNFORTUNATELY I WAS TOLD THAT WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING JUST THAT ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT WE WEREN'T AS A BABY BOOMER.
WHO'S LOOKING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF RETIREMENT.
I DON'T WANT TO IMPOSE ANY TAXES ON MY PROPERTY.
I WANT TO JUST LIVE VERY COMFORTABLY AND MOVE ON WITH MY RETIREMENT ALL TOO SOON.
UM, SO NO, I WOULD BE NO, THAT WOULD BE A NO VOTE FOR ME ON A PARCEL TAX.
THANK YOU, MISS ROSATI, MS. SHOEMAKER, NO, I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF A PARCEL TAX BECAUSE THAT PLACE IS ALL THE ONUS ON HOMEOWNERS AND THE HOMEOWNERS WHO RENT PROPERTY WILL THEN PLACE THAT ONUS ON RENTERS WHEN RENTS ARE ALREADY HIGH.
UM, I SUPPORTED THE BOND FOR WEST COVINA UNIFIED IN 2016.
AND THE REASON I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT IS BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT MYSELF, HONESTLY, IN THE MIRROR AND SAY, THERE IS NO WAY TO FUND THE FACILITIES NEEDED FOR EDUCATION.
NOW, WITHOUT GOING OUT FOR A BOND, WE WERE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WHEN PEOPLE WERE LOW, IT WENT, ALL OTHER DISTRICTS WERE SHUTTING DOWN SCHOOLS, FURLOUGHING, UM, FIRING TEACHERS.
WE OPENED SCHOOLS, WE OPENED PROGRAMS. WE KEPT EVERYBODY EMPLOYED.
AND SO IN, UH, WITH THIS LATEST TAX MEASURE, I VERY CLEARLY SAID THAT WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL PASSED A TAX INCREASE THAT, UM, AND OTHER CANDIDATE, I MEAN A PAY INCREASE THAT ANOTHER CANDIDATE HERE SUPPORTED.
AND I OPPOSED THAT I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE, BUT TO APPROVE DEBT SUPPORT THE SALES TAX INCREASE, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY WE COULD AFFORD THE SALARY INCREASES.
THAT JUST HAPPENED AS I STAND NOW, THE CITY IS IN DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS.
UM, BUT I WOULD NOT THROW THE SAME SUPPORT BEHIND ANY NEW TAX MEASURE, ESPECIALLY A PARCEL TAX, BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE IN PLACE TO MANAGE THE CITY FINANCES CORRECTLY.
THANK YOU, MS. SHOEMAKER, MR. BENNETT, THE IDEA OF DOING A PARCEL TAX IS SOMETHING THAT I WILL NOT VOTE FOR.
I'M A HOMEOWNER IN THE CITY, LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAX MYSELF BECAUSE WE HAVE A CITY THAT CAN'T CONTROL SPENDING.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THAT'S ABOUT IS, IS IT'S A SPENDING ISSUE IN THE CITY.
UM, IF WE CAN CONTROL OUR SPENDING, THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE NEED TO HAVE SOME FORM OF A TAX, UM, MEASURE WC FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER IN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA WAS VOTED ON IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND IT GOT AN 80% VOTER DISAPPROVAL.
I WAS ONE OF THE CO-LEADERS ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT FOUGHT MEASURE WC ON THE NO NWC COMMITTEE.
AND WE HAD A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WERE FROM ALL DIVERSIFIED BACKGROUNDS, POLITICAL NATURES.
WE WERE FRIENDS, UM, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, UM, HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, YOUNG, OLD, ALL OF US GOT TOGETHER.
AND THAT WAS, WE DID NOT WANT ANY MORE TAXES IN THIS CITY.
AND WE HAD A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT GOT TOGETHER AND GOT THE MESSAGE OUT THAT TAX WAS GOING BACK TO THE UNIONS, A PETITION THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY UNIONS WENT AROUND AND GATHERED TO PUT ON THE BALLOT.
AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS DYESS TONIGHT AS CANDIDATES WHO STOOD AT THIS DYESS
[00:45:01]
AND SAID, UM, NEEDS AND WANTS, WHAT DO WE NEED? WHAT DO WE WANT? WELL, THE HONEST ANSWER IS WE COULDN'T AFFORD THE RAISE.AND THIS CITY COUNCIL THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW VOTED FOR 12% PAY INCREASES FOR OUR FIRE AND POLICE BEFORE WE EVEN HAD ATTACKS, IT WAS VERY UNRESPONSIBLE.
I HELP LEAD THE EFFORT AGAINST THAT TAX.
I'M VERY DEVOUT IN THAT I WILL NOT BE, UH, SUPPORTING ANY TYPE OF A SALES TAX OR A PARCEL TAX AT THIS TIME UNTIL WE CAN CONTROL OUR FINANCES.
THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, MOVING ONTO OUR NEXT QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH ATHENS, MISS ROSATI, THE FEET INC.
THE FEET INCREASE TO ATHENS EFFECTIVE, EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR APPROVED BY COUNCIL IN 2018.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONTROL FUTURE INCREASES IN FEES BY ATHENS? WOULD YOU MIND REPEATING THAT? THE FEES OKAY.
THE FEE INCREASE TO ATHENS EFFECTIVE THIS YEAR APPROVED BY COUNCIL IN 2018.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CONTROL FUTURE INCREASES IN FEES BY ATHENS? THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT QUESTION.
UM, ATHENS HAS AN EVERGREEN CONTRACT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED MANY YEARS AGO BY FORMER LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE QUESTIONED THE INCREASE MANY TIMES THAT ATHENS HAS IMPOSED.
I THINK THAT THE COUNCIL ON THE LAST INCREASE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY NEGOTIATED THE PERCENTAGE BETTER THAN THEY DID.
I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RESIDENT WHO SPOKE UP AND ADVISE THEM TO LOOK INTO NEGOTIATING THAT PERCENTAGE.
AND I THINK IT FELL ON DEAF EARS.
I QUESTIONED THE INCREASE OF MY TRASH BILL.
WHAT I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY DO OFFER THOUGH, FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE BABY BOOMERS, WHICH I'VE ALREADY ADMITTED TO IS THAT THERE IS A DISCOUNT THAT WE CAN GET FOR THOSE OF US THAT MIGHT BE ON A FIXED INCOME.
UM, I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE WHEN THE CONTRACT COMES UP AND REALLY WE HAVE A MORE FORMAL CONVERSATION WITH ATHENS.
MISS ROSATI, MS. SHOEMAKER, THE CONTRACT WITH ATHENS HAS LONG BEEN A BONE OF CONTENTION WITH ME, UM, WHEN IT WAS APPROVED WITH THE 25 YEAR EVER GREEN, UH, ON IT, I OPPOSED IT, UM, WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES, I HAVE OPPOSED IT WHEN THEY NEGOTIATED A CONTRACT THAT ALLOWED ATHENS TO START DUMPING IN SAN BERNARDINO INSTEAD OF HAVING TO DUMP HERE IN LA COUNTY.
UM, I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE ASKING THEM, WHY ARE YOU NOT RENEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT? WHY ARE WE GOING TO BE PAIN INCREASES WHEN THEIR DUMP FEES WILL BE LESS BY GOING OUT TO SAN BERNARDINO AND YOU'RE HELPING THEM MEET THEIR QUOTA THAT THEY HAVE TO MEET WITH SAN BERNARDINO.
UM, THE COUNCILS AT THAT TIME, UM, WERE NOT INTERESTED IN DOING ANYTHING, UM, WITH THEM.
UM, SO I TOOK MY SMALL VOICE WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND BASICALLY PICKED APART THEIR CONTRACT EVERY TIME IT CAME BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT THAT WAS AS MUCH AS I CAN DO.
UM, I AM INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT IT AGAIN.
UM, THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO LAWS REGARDING EVERGREEN CONTRACTS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE CONTRACT.
THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, ATHENS HAS PEOPLE HAVE SAID AS A ONGOING LONG, UH, CONTRACT IN THE CITY.
IT'S BEEN DECADES PROBABLY NOW SINCE THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS SIGNED.
UM, ORIGINALLY IT WAS A 15 YEAR EVERGREEN.
AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT AN EVERGREEN IS AND EVERGREEN IS WHERE THE CONTRACT RENEWS FOR ONE YEAR EVERY YEAR.
SO IT'S PERPETUALLY A CERTAIN YEAR CONTRACT IN OR AROUND 2012.
THE COUNCIL HEARD, UM, IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY A COUNCIL MEMBER AND A MAJORITY ON THAT COUNCIL VOTED TO EXTEND THAT CONTRACT, I BELIEVE TO A 25 YEAR, UH, EVERGREEN CONTRACT.
SO, UM, I DON'T LIKE THEIR FEET RAISES.
I PAY THEM LIKE EVERYBODY AND, AND RATHER YOU'RE ON A FIXED INCOME OR NOT A FIXED INCOME.
FIXED INCOME DOES PROBABLY NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP WITH IT, BUT, UM, I, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT ON A FIXED INCOME AND I HATE SEEING THOSE RAISES, UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS CONTRACT, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A WAY TO GET OUT AS MS. SHOEMAKER POINTED OUT, THE EVERGREEN HAS SOME LEGAL ISSUES, AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND OUT WHERE THE EVERGREEN CLAUSES HAVE CHANGED IN THE LAW.
BUT I DO SUPPORT REVIEWING THAT.
[00:50:01]
DO SUPPORT, UM, GETTING RID OF IT.ONE OF THE OTHER CAVEATS THAT A LOT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, PROBABLY DON'T TALK PUBLICLY ABOUT IS BECAUSE WHEN THEY DID THE 25 YEAR AGREEMENT AND THEY HAVE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS, THE CITY IS NOW GIVEN BACK A MILLION DOLLARS AS A GIFT TO THE CITY FOR THAT CONTRACT.
AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE NOT WILLING TO CANCEL THAT CONTRACT BECAUSE ONE IT'LL TAKE 25 YEARS TO GO AWAY CURRENTLY.
AND TWO, WHEN THEY DO THAT MILLION DOLLAR GIFT TO THE CITY GOES AWAY YEAR, THEY CANCEL IT.
SO FOR 25 YEARS, IT'S GOING TO SIT THERE.
SO THE ISSUE IS, IS GOING BACK TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE YEARS AGO, SPECIAL INTEREST WAS DONATING AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET THE VOTES THEY WANTED.
NOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I DON'T WANT TO SEE SPECIAL INTEREST WITH OUR UNIONS, BE INVOLVED IN OUR ELECTIONS.
THANK YOU, MR. BENNETT, MS. DIAZ.
OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A CONTRACT AND, UM, I THINK IT'S VERY SIMPLE.
ONCE THE CONTRACT'S OVER, WE HAVE TO RENEGOTIATE.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT GOES UP EVERY SIX MONTHS.
SO, UM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RENEGOTIATED ONCE IT EXPIRES.
THANK YOU, MS. DIAZ, AND LOOKING AT THE TIME AND TO RESPECT, EVERYBODY'S TIME TO GET HERE OUT ON TIME.
WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD TO CLOSING STATEMENTS AND WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND START WITH MS. SHOEMAKER.
UM, THANK YOU TO THE WEST COVINA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION FOR PUTTING ON THIS FORUM.
IT REALLY GIVES PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES.
AND THAT'S INVALUABLE, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TIMES.
UM, AS I HAVE PUBLICLY STATED, UM, I'M NOT CAMPAIGNING DOOR TO DOOR, UM, THIS TIME, WHILE I LOVE TO GET OUT AND TALK TO RESIDENTS AND, UH, EVERYBODY IN THE CITY, IT'S JUST NOT SAFE WITH THE COVID-19.
AND, UM, WITH, UH, MY MOM CURRENTLY BATTLING LEUKEMIA, I'M ONE OF HER CAREGIVERS AND I JUST CAN'T RISK BRINGING SOMETHING HOME TO HER.
SO, UM, THANK YOU FOR GIVING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR FROM ME.
UM, I WOULD DIRECT, UH, ANYONE TO MY WEBSITE, MY FACEBOOK PAGE, ALL OF MY CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON THERE.
I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTION YOU HAVE.
I'LL EVEN SET UP ZOOM MEETINGS, WHATEVER FACETIME, WHATEVER YOU NEED, IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR ME.
UM, I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT I GREW UP HERE.
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE ON THE WEST COVINA SCHOOL BOARD AND THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL.
AND I HOPE THAT MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE CITY, YOU SEE THE TANGIBLE RESULTS.
UM, WE HAVE, WE IMPROVED WEST CONVENIENT IF I HAD TO ONE OF THE BEST IN THE STATE AND I AM WORKING TO DO THE SAME TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA.
AND WE ALL REMEMBER THE WEST COVINA THAT WAS AND HOW EVERYBODY KNOWS WEST COVINA.
OH, LEES ELECT ME TO THE SEAT SO THAT I CONTINUE IS SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER BRIGHTER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. SHOEMAKER, MISS ROSATI.
THANK YOU, ABRAHAM LINCOLN ONCE SAID I'M A SUCCESS TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO BELIEVED IN ME AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE HEART TO LET HIM DOWN.
OFTENTIMES OTHERS SEE POTENTIAL LONG BEFORE WE SEE IT IN OURSELVES.
I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE FAMILY AND THOSE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BELIEVED IN ME OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS THAT I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE PROMISES OR COMMITMENTS THAT I CAN'T KEEP.
HOWEVER, WHAT I CAN PROMISE AND COMMIT TO IS THIS, THAT I WILL TAKE THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE I'VE OBTAINED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.
AND MOST RECENTLY AS YOUR ELECTED CITY TREASURER AND APPLY IT TO THE CITY COUNCIL POSITION.
AND I'LL CONTINUE TO BRING FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND WORK WITH CITY STAFF TO LOOK TOWARDS WAYS TO BRING NEW REVENUE WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.
I'LL CONTINUE TO REAFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE
[00:55:01]
OF CLEAN AND SAFE PARKS BY UTILIZING THE ORGANIZATION IN WHICH I'M PRESIDENT OF WAS COVINA BEAUTIFUL.THE OLDEST NONPROFIT HERE IN THE CITY SINCE 1948, I'LL CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH LA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND ANY ENTITY THAT IS WILLING TO ASSIST, TO MITIGATE HOMELESSNESS HERE IN WEST COVINA AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES, I'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO KEEP PUBLIC SAFETY INTACT.
I'LL CONTINUE TO GIVE DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP TO THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL CITY, ALL DEPARTMENT, A STRATEGIC PLAN.
AND LASTLY, I'LL CONTINUE TO BE THAT PERSON THAT YOU BELIEVE IN WHO WILL DO THE BEST FOR THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS, WHETHER THEY'RE OLD OR YOUNG, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE HEART TO LET YOU DOWN.
WHEN VOTING ON NOVEMBER 3RD, I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU CONSIDER COLEEN ROSATI AS YOUR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE FOR DISTRICT THREE, BECAUSE SHE MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
THANK YOU, MISS ROSATI, MS. DIAZ, THANK YOU.
BEING A CANDIDATE FOR WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE.
THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WATCHING ONLINE TONIGHT.
PLEASE VISIT MY, MY FACEBOOK PAGE OR MORE TO MORE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THE SUPPORT TO MY CAMPAIGN AND TRULY HUMBLED BY THEIR CONFIDENCE IN ME, WESTFIELD WEST COVINA NEEDS FRESH EYES, NEW IDEAS THAT ARE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONSTITUENTS, CITY STAFF AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
I OFFER MY VALUES EXPERIENCE AND COMMITMENT TO KEEP WEST COVINA MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.
MY PLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE THIRD DISTRICT, I WILL FIGHT TO DEFEND OUR POLICE.
I WILL FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AT CITY HALL.
I WILL FIGHT TO BALANCE THE CITY BUDGET AND I WILL FIGHT TO SAVE OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, VOTE FOR ROSARIO IDEAS, TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AND TO SAVE OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. DIAZ, MR. MINOT.
UM, I WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK EVERYONE HERE, INVOLVED IN PUTTING THIS ON IT'S.
UM, IT'S A, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES.
AND FOR YEARS, NUMEROUS ELECTIONS, I'VE WATCHED THESE AS A RESIDENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I AM.
I'M NOT A POLISHED POLITICIAN.
I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO'S HAD A CAREER IN POLITICS.
I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND WE'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE AT ANY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OR ANY TYPE OF VOLUNTEERING IN THE CITY I'VE BEEN INVOLVED.
I'M A LITERALLY PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT FOR THREE YEARS.
I AM A CITY COMMISSIONER BECAUSE I WAS ASKED TO GET INVOLVED.
UM, I'VE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CITY COMMISSION BECAUSE I SPEAK OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TELL THEM WHAT, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.
AND I'VE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE COMMISSION FOR VOICING RESIDENT'S CONCERNS.
I'M A RESIDENT, I'M A HOMEOWNER, BUT FATHER, MY HUSBAND, I'M YOUR NEIGHBOR.
I'M UP HERE BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF WATCHING THE CITY COUNCIL, IGNORE RESIDENTS, SILENCING OUR VOICE, NOT READING OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, NOT LISTENING TO WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.
AND MY PARENTS RAISED ME WITH A SIMPLE THING.
IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, THEN DON'T COMPLAIN.
I PUT MY NAME ON THIS BALLOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.
I UNDERSTAND ENOUGH ABOUT POLITICS TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE IN THIS POSITION.
AND I ASKED THE RESIDENTS, DO YOUR RESEARCH, LOOK INTO US.
LOOK FOR WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CITY.
WHO'S DONE WHAT THEY SAY THEY'VE DONE.
WHO'S WALKED THE WALK BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND, NOT MARRIED MANY PEOPLE UP HERE CAN SAY THAT.
WHERE DO WE STAND? I HUMBLY ASK, PLEASE VOTE FOR ME.
STEVE BENNETT AND CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT THREE.
BUT I WANT TO REPRESENT EVERYONE AND VISIT MY WEBSITE.
VOTE FOR BENNETT.COM TO LEARN MORE.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, THE VOICE YOU DON'T HAVE.
WELL, THAT'S THE END OF OUR FORUM.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE CANDIDATES AND THEN COME IN FOR COMING OUT AND I'M PARTICIPATING IN THIS FORUM AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT TO ALL THE RESIDENTS.
WE DID BETTER THAN THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.