Eddie Neal: He says his candidacy is about the kids and Lemoore's future

By Ed Martin, Editor
Council candidate Edward "Eddie" Neal
Council candidate Edward "Eddie" Neal

In an effort to inform the voters of Lemoore, The Leader has asked that the seven candidates running for three spots on the Lemoore City Council, to the best of their ability, answer a series of questions we feel are important and need to be answered – and discussed by Lemoore’s residents.

We also asked each candidate to provide background information as well. The candidates running for the Lemoore City Council are incumbent Eddie Neal, former Lemoore Recreation Director Joe Simonson, longtime Lemoore resident Ray Etchegoin, local educator Holly Blair, Navy Veteran Beverly Halliman, former City of Lemoore Planning Commissioner Dave Brown, and Kings County Administrative Assistant Angela Valenzuela.

Edward Neal

Edward “Eddie” Neal, 48, is part of a large family that arrived in Lemoore in the 1940s. Neal attended local schools and currently is a local rancher and minister, following in his father’s footsteps. He was a two-time All American athlete in wrestling and football, where he starred at Lemoore High School.

Neal, also a former offshore oil driller, is married with children. He earned certificates from West Hills City College and Fresno City College, where he also earned a state community college wrestling championship.

He was elected to the council in 2012 and currently serves on the Kings Community Action Organization as a board member and serves also as the Kings County representative on the California League of Cities, South San Joaquin Division. He is a member of the Lemoore Kiwanis Club and an avid supporter of the Lemoore Senior Center.

What or who motivated you to run for a seat on the Lemoore City Council?

I felt as if I was missing something being born and raised in Lemoore.  After becoming a state champion wrestler at Fresno City Community College, working as an offshore driller, a professional boxer, and after traveling all over the world, I felt a pull to return home and contribute to my own community.  Lemoore was a great place to grow up, and I never forgot where I come from. 

I have always had a passion for working with children of all ages.  As soon as I returned to Lemoore, I began working with children through one of my loves:  boxing.  I started boxing programs at the Lemoore Recreation Department, the Tachi Rancheria, and the City of Hanford, where I was awarded for my contributions in the city.

 Now as an elected official, I have advocated for more youth services and programs in Lemoore.  I am a long-time supporter of the Lemoore Recreation Department, and I voted to improve its facilities for our children.  I introduced the Police Activities League (PAL) to the City of Lemoore, and our police chief has championed the project.  I continue to advocate for a Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Lemoore. The Lemoore Boys’ and Girls’ Club has been a four-year project that I hope will see light very soon.  In the end, I would say it was the children that caused me to run for Lemoore City Council. 

What in your opinion is the most important issue facing Lemoore today?

Our water treatment facilities and sewer systems are outdated and need immediate improvement.  I have met with members of the California State Water Board for possible avenues and brought back their ideas to our city.  Our water department staff, over the years, has worked very hard to meet state regulations, and this has become a major issue for us. Our water issues have stopped new business from coming to our city.  The issue is the cost.  I would like to see Lemoore actively pursue grants that would help us with the cost of our water treatment facilities and sewer systems.

 In your opinion, is Lemoore in a positive place right now, or are there issues that need to be addressed that may or may not have an effect on the future of this city.

Lemoore has always been a positive place. Lemoore will always have room for improvement, just like any other city.  We are a great city with a lot of potential for growth. 

What is the first thing you would seek to change, or improve upon, if elected?

I would like to see elected officials, including myself, be an active body of decision makers who have more compassion for the community.  Elected officials need not only to listen to the public, but act on their requests.  Some elected officials truly run for office because they like the power that comes with the position.  I would like to see three elected officials (I hope that I am one of them) that adhere to our community members and their needs.

 How can Lemoore attract industrial and retail development? Identify, if you can, current efforts to attract retail, for example CrisCom and its contract with the city. Is this a good thing?

Since being on the council, I have not seen the type of industrial and retail development that I originally expected.  I would like to see the city challenge our current firm to significantly improve our sales tax dollars by a given date. 

I recently had a conversation with the base commander about a manufacturing company.  He agreed that a business that would supply our aircraft parts would really accommodate the military base.  As I see it, a large manufacturing company or a distribution center would create more jobs, boost our sales tax, and accommodate our military and working families.

Do you feel Lemoore is a safe community? Why or why not?

Of course Lemoore is a safe community.  We are in great standing compared to the national average.  The current city council has been very supportive of our police department.  Lemoore is Chief Darrell Smith’s hometown as well.  I am confident in him and his staff to make sure our hometown remains a safe haven.

 What program or programs would you immediately seek to implement if elected?

My platform from 2012 has not changed much.  If I were a teacher, I would have campaigned on education.  If I were a police officer, I would push more for a public safety.  Since I was a “kid-at-risk” I still want to help other children who are at risk.  The program that I feel would be best for Lemoore is the Lemoore Boys’ and Girls’ Club.  Once re-elected I will begin privately soliciting funds for start-up costs associated with a club.

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America is a national organization of local chapters which provide after-school programs for young people. The organization, which holds a congressional charter under Title 36 of the United States Code, has its headquarters in Atlanta, with regional offices in Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, New York City and Los Angeles. BGCA is tax-exempt and partially funded by the federal government.  (BGCA Website)

A Boys’ and Girls’ Club would be a great collaboration with our current Recreation Department as seen in other cities.  

Any final thoughts that may not have been asked, but that you feel is an important issue, program, or need?

If you have seen my voting record, you would know I am a person of action.  I take my position seriously, and I always consider the long-term effects of my decisions.  There have been some major decisions that I was forced to make on behalf of our city with the people always in mind.  For example, when the elimination of our planning department was up for vote, I stood with the people and voted to keep the planning department.  We all know that I lost the vote, but I stood with the people of Lemoore.  Former Planning Commissioner Dave Brown and Former City Council Member Willard Rodarmel, stood with me as well.

When our golf course sale was considered, I stood with the people and supported Lemoore recreation.  When our previous economic developer’s contract was suddenly terminated, I took an ethical stance.  Knowing the amount of money we would lose in hiring our then police chief as city manager in 2013, I voted with the people when considering his increase in retirement.  He retired a year later with city manager pay.  And more recently, when the vote to sell and develop off of Highway 41 near 19th Ave. presented itself, I voted “NO” in opposition to rezoning.

My voting record speaks for itself.  I don’t consider myself a politician.  I am among “WE THE PEOPLE OF LEMOORE.”  God Bless.

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