Candidates share views with approximately 50 residents at Senior Center forum

On hand in the Lemoore Senior Citizens’ Center were candidates Angela Valenzuela, Joe Simonson, Eddie Neal, Ray Etchegoin, Dave Brown and Holly Blair. Moderating what may be the final public forum of the campaign season – the election will be held Nov. 8 – was Kings County Supervisor Craig Pedersen.

Longtime Kings County resident Jerry Irons asks candidates a question.

Five of the six candidates have previously announced their support for Measure K, the Kings County public safety measure designed to generate about $4 million per year from a quarter-cent sales tax, and again reaffirmed their support during Thursday night’s forum.

Only Simonson, who hadn’t previously announced his stance, said Thursday night that he is against Measure K, despite the fact that 72 percent of Lemoore voters approved of the measure. Passage of Measure K would generate roughly $675,000 for Lemoore public safety, which includes the police department as well as the fire department.

“I don’t support it,” said Simonson who said later in the forum that he is opposed to most new taxes. “There is money in the budget to pay the bills.”

Simonson was critical of city officials and accused the city staff and council of letting the city’s budget run amok and suggested that he would apply the brakes to runaway spending. “I will keep a keen eye on the budget, and that’s what I’ll do for you,” he said.

Others took exception to Simonson’s stance on Measure K. Brown, who is one of the Lemoore Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing, strongly favors sales tax measure, saying keeping Lemoore safe is one of his highest priorities. “I support Measure K. You’re going to pay for public safety. It’s a reality,” he said.

Blair agreed and told the crowd that not only does she support Measure K, but she’s been campaigning for it the past few weeks, visiting households in Lemoore. Councilmember Neal also cited his strong support for the measure.

Neal, Etchegoin and Valenzuela also strongly support Measure K.

How to deal with growth and water issues was a concern among the small audience Thursday night. Neal questioned the big town, small town mentality. “Do we want Lemoore to be a 40,000 (population) or do we want to be a bedroom community? We just may want to keep it a small town,” he said. “It’s up to the community as to what they want.”

Brown said the city needs to prepare for growth. “We need to prepare for it smartly,” he said. “We need to fill in our infill” before the city starts looking for land outside its current boundaries. “Let’s get that built up first.”

Angela Valenzuela questions what the city hasn’t prepared for growth. “It should have been done a long time ago,” she said.

Saying he’s always been a big proponent of growth, Simonson insisted that the city needs to annex in anticipation of new growth, and until Lemoore reaches a population of approximately 40,000 persons, the city’s not going to see any increases in large businesses setting up shop in Lemoore.

Candidates also lamented the lack of economic vitality in downtown Lemoore. “We have a lot of empty stores downtown,” said Valenzuela who suggested that out-of-town owners may be keeping rents too high for businesses to locate downtown. “Downtown is dead at closing time.”

She suggested tax breaks, rent reductions, and reduced fees to spur downtown growth.

Brown suggested the city take a look at local ordinances that govern the downtown and its business climate. “Why don’t we talk to the people who are there,” he said, suggesting that he would bring people together in an effort to support downtown businesses by discovering the downtown needs.

Etchegoin tried to apply a little common sense to the discussion. “The reality is we’re not big enough for the big boxes (Wal Mart, Costco, Target etc.). “Small businesses are what built this town,” he said.

Blair, who is a member of the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce, says she’s spent time downtown. “I talk to a lot of these businesses,” she said. In previous forums she’s advocated bringing social media downtown, Wi-Fi, and other things that young people could respond to. “We have a real problem with brain drain,” she said. “We need to have young people more involved.”

All the candidates bemoaned what they suggest is the city’s lack of transparency as it relates to public comments. One questioner bemoaned the fact that city officials require written questions at council meetings during public comment periods. All candidates suggested they would work to change that policy.

Connie Wlaschin asked the candidates what they would do to listen to their constituents? Etchegoin told her she should be able to speak up at council meetings. “You should be able to get an answer,” he said. “We need to be more transparent.”

All the candidates are against Proposition 64, the marijuana measure on the ballot. “It’s going to pass,” suggested Valenzuela, “but Lemoore can restrict it.”