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City Council forum a no show for three of four candidates running in first-time Lemoore districts
About 20 persons showed up wanting to hear from the four candidates running for council seats in the city’s new district format. Madrigal is running against Stuart Lyons in District A while Chad Billingsley and Tony Garcia are matched up in District C.
Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes moderated Wednesday night’s event. He asked a series of questions before opening it up to the audience.
All the candidates, more than a week before the event, were invited to attend Wednesday night’s gathering. The Leader contacted each of them by phone and email. It wasn’t until Wednesday afternoon – just hours before the event – that two of the invited candidates notified The Leader by email that they would decline the invitation. Garcia informed The Leader several days ago that he could not attend due to a conflict with his job.
Wednesday’s forum would have been the first time the candidates had participated together in a candidates’ night. According to Madrigal, he’s attended two other gatherings – the NAACP and Lemoore American Legion – where he was the only city council candidate to participate.
The candidates’ absence was noticed by attendees.
“I expected to be able to actually ask questions of all the candidates so that I would have an idea of where everybody stands,” said Mary Hayes. “I was happy with the questions that were asked, and I was very happy that we had an opportunity to ask questions of our own and put thoughts out. I’m looking forward to seeing where the city goes from here and how it grows, but yes, I’m very disappointed, not only in the turnout of the community, but we had only one candidate here, and that’s very sad to me.”
Even Madrigal appeared perplexed at the candidates who failed to attend. “It’s traditional. I’m really upset that they think this is something they shouldn’t be doing. What kind of councilmembers will they be if they don’t show up.”
When asked why he’s running for council, Madrigal got right to the point. “The reason I’m running is for community service,” he said. “There are a lot of good people in this community, and that’s the beginning and the end of why I’m running.”
If elected Madrigal, who currently serves as the mayor, would win a second term on the council.
Fagundes quizzed the mayor on a variety of issues, from his leadership experience, his endorsements, economic challenges, growth, water, public safety and more.
Madrigal said his leadership skills developed while in the California Highway Patrol where, during his 30 years of service, he rose in the organization’s ranks, taking numerous leadership roles. “I learned a lot. There were many opportunities for leadership. I learned there what it takes to run a large organization.”
And after one term as a Lemoore councilmember, he feels that he is prepared for the challenges ahead. “After four years I feel comfortable with what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m more qualified now.”
He listed his endorsements, an impressive array of local elected leaders including all of Kings County’s police chiefs, Sheriff Dave Robinson and local business and education leaders like former West Hills Chancellor Frank Gornick and Jeanette Homan.
Lemoore’s primary challenge in the years to come is Lemoore’s growth, and how to balance a growing population and its economic challenges insisted Madrigal. “That’s one of the big issues we talk about all the time,” he said.
He also said that during his tenure he’s work with city staff to be more business-friendly, insisting upon the importance of helping residents and business owners through the regulatory process, whether building a home or establishing a new business. “Our city staff is open for business,” he said. “We need to create an environment” for potential economic growth and the retention of local businesses. “We need to say yes.”
He suggested focusing on businesses that provide services you can’t purchase on the Internet. He said online shopping has been a detriment to local businesses. “That hurts.”
He also challenged the notion that the city doesn’t promote business opportunities. “No, we need businesses coming in. We have some really good ideas out there, and we have some really good people.”
He suggested creating a sort of “business council” by bringing local business, education, and other leaders together to explore and develop opportunities for economic growth.
Madrigal, asked by attendees about public safety, praised the Lemoore Police Department and the city’s Volunteer Fire Department, both of which take up about half the city’s budget. In the fire department’s case, he cited the substantial cost savings the volunteers bring the town. “They save us an enormous amount of money, something in the form of a million dollars. They’re very dedicated.”
He admitted that the implementation of new policies and procedures might hot have gone down well with some members of the fire department, but Madrigal said the new initiatives, and the hiring of a full-time administrative assistant specifically for the department, will make it only stronger. The administrative assistant will help with record keeping, training and keeping track of equipment.
When asked about the council’s vote to censure Councilmember Holly Blair he said the action was justified. “I saw that coming a long time ago,” he said. “Miss Blair did not have the qualities needed to be on the council.”
He added that her behavior could have been a liability for the city. “How does it look, having a councilmember saying and doing those things.”
