Council members state their positions

And of course they will also weigh in on two local initiatives: Measure L, a $24 million bond measure to upgrade and retrofit Lemoore High School and Measure K, a .25 percent sales tax which would raise $4 million for Kings County public safety, about $675,000 of which would go to Lemoore’s police and fire departments.

The Leader was interested in how the remaining six Lemoore City Council candidates (Angela Valenzuela, Eddie Neal, Ray Etchegoin, Joe Simonson, Dave Brown, and Holly Brown) plan to vote on those two important measures. Beverly Halliman, who remains on the ballot, has decided not to pursue a council seat.

Five of the six candidates running responded to The Leader’s request to share their thoughts on the two measures, and with the exception of Joe Simonson, all indicated they would vote for both, particularly Measure K, not surprising since Lemoore voters in June approved the measure by more than 72 percent of the vote - the largest tally in Kings County.

Despite two requests, Simonson – as of October 14 – did not respond to The Leader’s request for information regarding his vote on the two local ballot measures.

Measure K needs 66.6 percent of the vote to pass. Measure L needs only 55 percent to pass. If Measure K passes in November the measure will replace an important part of Proposition 30, a sales-tax measure passed in 2012 that implemented a quarter-cent sales tax for California’s schools. The measure sunsets on Dec. 31 of this year.

In other words, Measure K would not add an additional sales tax to the county’s tax rate, but instead will simply replace the existing tax.

Faced with an aging and outdated campus, the Lemoore High School District Board of Trustees in June decided to ask voters in the district to pass the largest bond measure in the school’s history at $24 million. The general obligation bond will cost the typical property owner about $27.50 per year – based on every $100,000 of valuation.

Proceeds from the bonds are expected to pay for repairs and upgrades to existing classrooms and buildings, rehabilitate athletic facilities, construct new classrooms, and upgrade he district’s technology. Here’s how the council candidates respond:

Eddie Neal

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

Neal, while on the council, voted to endorse the measure in the June election and again supports it in the November election.

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

Neal says he will vote for Measure L.

 In 2013-14 did you support some councilmembers’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course?

Neal did not support the sale of the golf course in 2013 and was very vocal about it.

Angela Valenzuela

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

 As a former Kings County Detentions Deputy, I realize the importance of our first responders; law enforcement and fire fighters.  It is incredibly important for our community not only be safe but feel safe.  I believe the half cent tax is a way to do this.  This measure will help fund staff for our city with great public servants, as well as upgrade some much needed equipment.  I wholeheartedly support Measure K. 

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

I understand Measure L is somewhat controversial with some residents not wanting to destroy the aesthetics of the buildings on campus, especially the old gym.   I agree the school should maintain its beauty, however it should not take precedence over the needs of the students.  There is a similar possibility on the ballot at the state level, Prop 51.  Should it pass, it will still be competitive, requiring matching funds up to 60 percent, and is not guaranteed.  I support Measure L because it focuses on much needed improvements: classrooms, labs, water, technology and the safety of our students.     

In 2013-14 did you support some councilmembers’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course? 

Selling the property removes the risk to taxpayers and makes complete sense from a budget standpoint. However, once you sell it off, it is gone forever.  I believe the public outcry and the tribal backing away from the project speaks for itself.  Residents want it retained by the City.  I stand by the people.

Holly Blair

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

Blair indicated her strong support for Measure K and supports Measure L. She also said she was against the sale of the Lemoore Golf Course.

In fact, Blair says she has worked hard for Measure K’s passage.

While other candidates sit on their laurels and hope they can get away with not ever having to actually say where they stand on a controversial issue, I believe in saying what I support it a clear and concise manner. I am the only candidate to not only publicly endorse Measure K, but to regularly attend Measure K planning meetings, and to personally canvass for the measure on multiple occasions. I organized multiple walks with volunteers from the community and continue, even now, to advocate for the measure. Beyond this, multiple public safety officers have publicly endorsed my candidacy, including Sergeant Jim Chaney, who recently said that he believed that I had the right heart for the job.

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

She supports Measure L.

In 2013-14 did you support some councilmembers’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course? 

She did not support the sale of the Lemoore Golf Course.

Ray Etchegoin

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

Measure K is a must for Lemoore. We need to help LPD get more officers on the street and we also need to get their pay scale up so we don't keep losing personnel. It will also help county and local fire departments who are undermanned at this time.

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

Measure L is needed with the growth of our city eminent. More class rooms are needed to accommodate the growing population at LHS. It will also help with some much needed maintenance at the school. There has been concern about losing the old gym but from what I have seen and heard it is time to let it go. It's not functional anymore and cannot be renovated into anything useful. 

In 2013-14 did you support some councilmembers’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course? 

Being a golfer I did not support it at all and once I learned more about it I was even more against selling. I think where we are today, with the golf course making a profit, it really shows that the council would have made an unfortunate decision.

Dave Brown

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

Yes, I will support and vote for Measure K. With domestic terrorism on the rise and the challenges of Prop 47 that have property crimes on the increase this measure will put more officers on patrol. Our fire departments are faced with increased calls for emergency services ranging from EMT support to fighting wildland and structural fires. This Measure will help provide the funding for equipment and increased staffing needs. This measure will also have a citizens’ oversight committee to review and provide feedback on expenditures. 

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

Yes. The school needs upgrades to its infrastructure and facilities to keep our kids safe and give them the tools needed to prepare them for the future/college. If approved the schools may be eligible to receive up to an additional $6 million dollars in state matching funds. It is an investment in our children's future. This measure will also have a citizens’ oversight committee to review and provide feedback on expenditures.

 In 2013-14 did you support some councilmembers’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course?

No. I believe that there was a lack of transparency to the taxpayer with this action. If something like this is to be considered, full disclosure must happen so the people can understand their choices and be involved in the decision process. The city belongs to the people. 

Joe Simonson

Will you support and vote for Measure K?

Simonson, the only candidate not to respond to the questions, did tell The Hanford Sentinel in a recent article about his candidacy that “If the City of Lemoore’s economy is to grow it must reduce regulation, reduce impact fees, and streamline development processes. If these measures are taken the market will take care of itself. I don’t want measures and bonds to become Lemoore’s way to solvency.”

The only local official who declined to endorse Measure K was Lemoore Councilmember Billy Siegel, also the lone Kings County councilmember to vote against supporting Measure K. Councilmembers from Hanford, Corcoran, Avenal, all five Kings County supervisors, and four of the five Lemoore councilmembers voted to endorse Measure K.

Will you support Measure L, the Lemoore High School bond measure?

Unknown

In 2013-14 did you support some councilmember’ efforts to sell the Lemoore Golf Course? 

Unknown. However, Simonson, during the golf course saga, as a city employee, reported to the council as to the pros and cons of selling or leasing the facility as well as the financial condition of the course. He and Mayor Siegel once played a controversial round of golf in 2013 that included a Tachi Hotel and Casino representative. The local hotel and casino later expressed an interest in purchasing the city’s public golf course. The golf outing, an expenditure approved by then City Manager Jeff Laws, was criticized by Councilmember Neal. Simonson said during a council meeting in August 2013, that sometimes it’s his job to evaluate and give his opinion as the only avid golfer on the staff. The Tachi representative joined the round with Siegel, Simonson and another city employee.